Maldives pledges $50,000 to UN agency aiding Palestinian refugees
Contribution announced at United Nations conference reinforces island nation's support for Palestinian relief amid worsening humanitarian crisis
MALE, Maldives (MNTV) — The Maldives has pledged $50,000 in annual funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), joining international efforts to strengthen the finances of the United Nations agency as it struggles to sustain humanitarian operations for millions of Palestinian refugees.
The commitment was announced during this year’s UNRWA Pledging Conference at United Nations Headquarters, where governments were urged to increase financial support for the agency amid growing humanitarian needs and persistent funding shortfalls.
The pledge was delivered by the Maldives’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ali Naseer Mohamed.
Addressing the conference, Mohamed said support for UNRWA was more than a financial contribution, describing it as an investment in protecting human dignity and preserving the international rules-based order.
He also spoke about the operational challenges facing the agency and rejected what he described as false allegations against UNRWA, calling on the international community to provide predictable and sustained funding.
The Maldives reiterated its solidarity with the Palestinian people, saying continued international support was essential to ensure the agency can continue delivering education, healthcare, food assistance and other basic services to refugees across the region.
The pledge builds on the Maldives’ broader humanitarian support for Palestine. Earlier, the country raised $1.2 million through its nationwide “Maldivians with Palestine” telethon, with the proceeds later transferred to support relief efforts for Palestinians.
The $50,000 annual contribution also marks a significant increase from the Maldives’ previous yearly allocation of $5,000, reflecting a decision taken in 2024 to expand its financial assistance to Palestinian refugees.
Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1949, UNRWA provides essential services to nearly six million registered Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
The agency has repeatedly warned that chronic funding shortages threaten its ability to maintain schools, health centers and emergency relief programs, particularly as humanitarian needs have surged during Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
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