Finnish foreign minister announces $1.5m in support on visit to Gaza

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During a visit to the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, Finnish foreign minister, Erkki Tuomioja, discussed the humanitarian issues facing the Sector and promised a $1.5m increase in his country’s support to UNRWA.

Tuomioja accompanied UNRWA staff on a short tour to several places in the Strip, including the University of Palestine where he was offered him an Honorary Doctorate for his efforts toward international humanitarian justice.

During his tour, the foreign minister admired the work and efforts of UNRWA and promised a $1.5m fund increase to be added to his country’s share of UNRWA’s support budget.

Tuomioja said he and his country valued the importance of UNRWA’s work to support the Palestinian refugees, especially in Gaza. “I met UNRWA’s administration today [Monday] and its staff and admire their dedication to their work in the current situation which is more difficult than before,” Tuomioja said.

Finland is one of the strongest supporters of UNRWA and donated three million euros toward its 2012 budget.

MEMO Photographer: Mohammed Asad

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