Global Ministries supports funding UNRWA in letter to Congress
On March 2, a coalition of 18 Christian churches and organizations, including Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ sent a letter to Congress urging support for humanitarian aid for Palestinians, including for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). This letter is consistent with previous advocacy, and with the UCC’s General Synod resolution and Disciples’ General Assembly resolution of 2019 on Global Forced Migration, which includes the rights of Palestinian refugees, and calls for supporting funding for UNRWA.
The letter states, “We were heartened to see the restoration of some bilateral assistance to programs in the West Bank and Gaza for Fiscal Year 2020. We encourage Congress to ensure that these funds are disbursed promptly to vital programs such as the East Jerusalem Hospital Network. For Fiscal Year 2021, we recommend funding be restored at least to the previous level of $225 million in Economic Support Funds (ESF) for humanitarian and development programs in the West Bank and Gaza. Likewise, we urge Congress to provide necessary funding to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).”