Helsinki and London suspend support for UN agency helping refugees in the Middle East

Finland and UK stop funding for UN agency helping refugees in the Middle East

Finland and the UK have suspended funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), RBC reports, citing statements by representatives of the foreign ministries of the two countries.

As noted, Helsinki and London took such a step after statements by the Israeli authorities that agency employees participated in the attack on Israel on October 7. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant made relevant accusations. According to him, “at least a dozen UNRWA employees” took part in the attack.

As noted, Finland has a current agreement to finance the work of UNRWA for 2023-2026 in the amount of €5 million per year. These payments will now be suspended. The British Foreign Ministry has a similar argument, where they clarified that the transfers will be suspended while the charges are being verified.