Brasilia: Today (May 14) Brazil made a commitment to donate US$ 7.5 million to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which undertakes actions in health, education and welfare for refugees in the Gaza Strip.

The commitment was signed on the West Bank by the Brazilian representative to the Palestinian Authority, Ligia Maria Scherer, and the Commissioner-General of the Agency, Filippo Grandi. This value represents an increase of 700% over the amount donated by Brazil in 2011, and makes it the largest donor to the Palestinian cause among the emerging BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).

According to UNRWA, the Brazilian donation will help fund a food assistance program that serves 106,000 Palestinians, as well as education projects and health care. The agency's actions serve a total of approximately 1.2 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza.

The UNRWA Commissioner-General will travel to Brazil in August to discuss partnerships with the Brazilian government in order to increase assistance for Palestinian refugees.

Source:

Agência Brasil