Malaysia Contributes Additional US$100,000 To UNRWA This Year

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 8 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is contributing an additional US$100,000 (RM426,718) monetary support this year to the United Nations Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA), which plays an active role in addressing both urgent humanitarian needs and long-term recovery of Gaza. Deputy Foreign Minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican (centre) said the amount was on top of an annual commitment of US$25,000 (RM106,680). "UNRWA is aiming to improve the safety and the protection of the Palestinian refugees. With the support of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), part of the effort is concentrated on improving education environment in schools and higher education institutions," he said. Reezal Merican said this in his speech during the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People at the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR) here, Tuesday. Reezal Merican said another US$50,000 (RM213,340) have also been allocated for the United Nations Register or Damages (UNRoD), whose mandate is to serve as a record in documentary form, of the damage caused to all natural and legal persons concerned as a result of the construction of the Wall by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. He said the Foreign Ministry provides assistance to Palestinians through non-governmental organisations (NGO) such as the CAKNA Palestine. Besides that, Reezal Merican also called on the relevant parties to exercise restraint and return to the negotiating table to reach comprehensive solution to address the conflict in West Bank, which has been ongoing for the past three months. (photoBERNAMA) --BERNAMA