Luxembourg’s funding for the UN relief organisation for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has more than quadrupled since 2007, Humanitarian Affairs Minister Xavier Bettel said Tuesday.
The Grand Duchy contributed €13.5 million to UNRWA in 2025, compared to €2.9 million in 2007 and up from €9.8 million in 2024, Bettel – also foreign affairs minister – said in response to a parliamentary question.
Luxembourg has pledged to give €30 million over three years to UNRWA, Bettel said in November 2024. The support will run from 2025 to 2027 and contribute €10 million annually to the organisation’s efforts in Palestine.
Luxembourg keeps money flowing as Western states suspend Gaza aid
The decision came after Israel officially notified the UN that it was severing its ties with UNRWA, after allegations in 2024 that UN workers took part in the 7 October attacks against Israel.
In response to the allegations, the UN agency’s main donors – the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy, France and Canada – said they would suspend contributions.
But Bettel at the time affirmed Luxembourg’s plans for continued aid to Palestine.
“We won’t stop the help now because in Gaza they need support in the moment and it is civilians again who are the victims if there is no UNRWA support,” Bettel said.
In a summary of 2024 confirmed aid pledges to UNRWA as of 31 December 2024, the United Kingdom and United States do not appear on the donor list.
