By Manal Abdel Fattah
On her fifth visit to Egypt, the German government’s Special Envoy for Humanitarian Aid in the Near and Middle East, Deike Potzel, said that Germany has been one of the main supporters of UNRWA for decades.
The German government’s special envoy for humanitarian aid in the Near and Middle East added, during her presence in Cairo, that Germany supported UNRWA with an amount of 206 million euros, adding: We were thus the second largest donor last year.
The German envoy added that, once again, Germany has increased its support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) over the past three months, by 44 million euros for Gaza alone, bringing Germany’s humanitarian aid to UNRWA in Gaza to 83 million euros in 2023.
Potzel continued in her speech: We know that UNRWA is considered an agency with a critical and vital role for the population in the Gaza Strip, as well as for the Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Syria, the West Bank and Lebanon, and for this reason we have been steadfast in our support.
She added: However, we appreciate that the United Nations and UNRWA are as shocked by the substance of the recent serious allegations, just as we are, because they announced an investigation and review.
Potzel confirmed that in light of the progress made in the investigations, Germany will decide on new funding, following up; Because we need to be able to trust that there is no room for extremism, terrorist activities and hate in our lives.
The German government’s special envoy said that while the German government sees the suffering of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, Germany has increased its humanitarian aid, most recently on January 9, when it provided additional support of 8 million euros.
She added that with this support, the total aid provided to the Palestinian territories by the German government has risen to 211 million euros, including 138 million euros in additional funding since October 7, and Germany has become the largest contributor to UNRWA during the past five years.
She pointed out that the German Foreign Ministry is working with the United Nations and experienced international organizations to deliver the necessary aid to the residents of Gaza. Through the humanitarian aid approved by Germany, organizations can deliver basic foodstuffs, medical care and hygiene products to Gaza.
She stressed that the international community is very aware of what is happening in the Gaza Strip, and many countries have provided humanitarian support, whether from the region or outside it, and we appreciate everyone who contributed to those efforts.
She added that the situation is dangerous and requires greater effort to provide safe corridors for humanitarian aid to enter, as well as safe corridors for it to be delivered to civilians inside the Gaza Strip, which takes a very long time.
