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Switzerland extends financial aid to UNRWA till 2020

Xinhua, December 22, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Swiss Federal Council decided on Wednesday to continue the confederation's contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) for another four years, with funding intended to improve access to education, healthcare and social services.

"In this way Switzerland helps to improve prospects for the future, to reduce the risk of radicalization among young Palestinians and to support greater stability in the region," the council said in a statement.

"The funds also provide UNRWA with greater security in its budget planning," it added.

Maintaining contributions at current levels, Switzerland will allocate some 20 million CHF (19.5 million U.S. dollars)per year to UNRWA over the 2017-2020 period.

This is crucial given the instability in the Middle East, with the Syrian crisis particularly affecting UNRWA's work in the region.

According to the council, 95 percent of Palestinian refugees still living in war-torn Syria are dependent on UNRWA's humanitarian assistance.

Since the conflict began in 2011, UNRWA has provided 460,000 individuals with aid despite protracted violence. Endit