TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has committed to increasing its annual contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) by US$1.2 million (around Rp19.34 billion) as a form of ongoing support for UNRWA's vital work in assisting Palestinian refugees.

“The Indonesian government has declared a new commitment in the form of increasing its regular voluntary contribution by US$1.2 million per year starting in 2024,” the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a written statement on Sunday, July 14.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Indonesia Permanent Representative, Ambassador Arrmanatha Nasir, delivered the statement to the UN at the UNRWA "Pledging Conference" at the UN Headquarters in New York on July 12.

In addition, Indonesia has pledged a grant of US$2 million (around Rp32.23 billion) to support UNRWA's "Flash Appeal" for April-December 2024. “Indonesia has also expressed its commitment to exploring innovative funding for UNRWA, including the potential partnerships with zakat management institutions,” said the ministry.

At the same event, Malaysia has also stepped up its contributions to UNRWA. They announced an additional US$1 million contribution, bringing their total support since November 2023 to US$5.2 million. Malaysia previously committed to providing US$200,000 per year from 2021 to 2025.

Malaysia has also made significant contributions through the Humanitarian Trust Fund for the Palestinian People (AAKRP), which supports initiatives in medical assistance, food aid, sanitation, and water access for Palestinians.

Representatives from 62 countries attended the conference, emphasizing the crucial role UNRWA plays in supporting the Palestinian people and maintaining regional security. They called for a ceasefire and de-escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and urged Israel to stop obstructing UNRWA's operations in the Gaza Strip.

UNRWA, established in 1948 following the Palestinian Nakba, continues to operate and address the unresolved issues of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The agency supports Palestinian refugees displaced in 1948 and subsequent conflicts, along with their descendants, maintaining the legal right of return for Palestinian refugees under international law.

The commitments from Indonesia and Malaysia are particularly significant given the withdrawal of funding from some Western countries based on unsubstantiated claims against UNRWA staff. While most donors have since resumed support, key players like the US and UK remain absent.

AL MAYADEEN | ANTARA

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