US Cuts UNRWA Funding by More than Half

The US government is cutting more than half of its planned funding to the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, a move that could prove catastrophic for millions of people in need.
The State Department announced on Tuesday it was withholding 65 million USD out of a 125 million USD aid package earmarked for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA).
In a letter, the department said that additional US donations will be contingent on major changes by UNRWA.
Those funds are “frozen for future consideration”, Heather Nauert, State Department spokeswoman, told reporters.
Al Jazeera reported that for nearly 70 years, UNRWA has been the lifeline to the more than five million registered Palestinian refugees in the occupied territories and in Lebanon, Jordan and Syria.
It offers support in food supply, access to education, healthcare, social services and employment.