Malaysia is channeling another 10 million Malaysian ringgit (RM) in aid to the Palestinian people through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in West Asia (UNRWA).
The Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra) in a media statement received in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday said Malaysia continues to fully support UNRWA, especially when the UN agency is facing financial challenges.
To date, 12 major donor countries have suspended their voluntary funding to UNRWA, following the alleged involvement of 12 of their staff in the attack on October 7, 2023, leaving the agency short of funds.
The Malaysian government, according to the statement, has expressed its support to the UN agency by making a donation of RM10 million (US$2.1 million) on Nov. 17, 2023 using the Palestine Humanitarian Trust Account (AAKRP) fund.
The donation is in addition to the US$200,000 per year Malaysia is contributing for a period of five years from 2021 to 2025, according to Wisma Putra.
Given the current situation, the situation is getting worse. The Malaysian government agreed to contribute an additional RM10 million, bringing Malaysia’s contribution to UNRWA to RM20 million.
Malaysia said it welcomed the announcement made by four countries, including Australia, Iceland, Canada and Sweden regarding the resumption of financial funding for UNRWA.
Malaysia, according to the same statement, will continue to support UNRWA in its efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.