Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
The European Union announced the disbursement of €22 million to pay social allowances to 71,162 vulnerable Palestinian families through the National Cash Transfer Programme. According to a statement issued in Brussels, "Over the past 17 years, the European Union has been a steadfast supporter of the Palestinian Authority's Ministry of Social Development, cooperating to ensure basic social allowances are provided to the most vulnerable families living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Today, the Union has contributed European funding of €22 million to support the most vulnerable Palestinian families in this particularly severe economic and financial crisis.The European funding has been channeled through PEGASE to pay social benefits to 71,162 families below the extreme poverty line.Another 37,774 families are covered by the PA government budget.
“The European Union remains committed to supporting the Palestinian social protection system, even in light of the financial crisis facing the Palestinian Authority, as the ongoing cash transfer program faced unprecedented financial obstacles, stressing the need for concerted efforts between partners to ensure financial financing. According to Maria Velasco, Deputy Representative of the European Union, noting that social protection is a fundamental right and the financial sustainability of the Palestinian social benefits system.
Since 2008, most of the EU aid to the Palestinian Authority is channeled through direct financial support from PEGASE, supporting the PA reform process and various national development plans, currently the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-2023. PEGASE supports the PA's recurring expenditures, mainly the salaries and pensions of civil servants, social allowances paid through the cash transfer program and part of the referral costs to East Jerusalem hospitals. Since 2008, more than 3 billion euros have been spent through PEGASE by the European Commission and many development partners, mainly EU member states. The Joint European Strategy 2021-2024 in Support of Palestine is the basis for the implementation of European development cooperation and provides a common European response to the priorities of the National Development Plan, including support for key reforms and programs implemented by key ministries in preparation for statehood. In addition, the European Union provides assistance through UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.