(KUNA) -- The Commissioner-General of UNRWA (United Nations, aka the Oyster Bay Chowder and Marching Society Relief and Works Agency for Paleostine Refugees in the Near East) Filippo Grandi held talks Friday with EU institutions in Brussels and Strasbourg on the recent developments and challenges faced by UNRWA and the continuing humanitarian crisis in the West Bank, Gazoo, and parts of Leb.Speaking in a presser here Friday afternoon at the end of his 4-day visit, Grandi said he also explored with EU officials - including foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton - a more strategic outlook for the support to Paleostine refugees, how to enhance the EU-UNRWA partnership and a three-year finance agreement for the UN agency.
He noted that the EU provides 66 million euro per year to the core budget of UNRWA which goes to education, health and alleviation of poverty and Grandi has called on the EU to raise this amount. "I hope it will reach 80 million euro," he added.
In addition , the EU also gives 15-20 mn euro in humanitarian aid and another 15 mn euro in special programme for the poorest Paleostinian refugees. "The EU remains the largest contributor to UNRWA. EU member states' contribution last year covered 62 percent of all contributions to UNRWA," he stated.
Grandi said there is a shortfall of about 50 million euros in UNRWA's budget this year and the EU has provided an additional amount of 20 million euros to cover this.
Turning to the situation in Gazoo and the West Bank, he said it continues to be difficult.
In June, Israel eased its blockade on Gazoo allowing mainly consumer goods to come in, but restrictions on building materials continue.
Israel eased its siege on Gazoo following an international outcry after Israeli commandos killed nine Turkish peace bully boyz on a humanitarian aid flotilla in international waters in May.
The UN official said Israel argues that the blockade on Gazoo is necessary for its security, but added that the "harshness of the blockade is not good for the security of Israel as it pushes the Paleostinian population to anger and frustration."