To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the number of Palestinian refugees living in camps for long periods, what representations they have made with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency about securing additional funds for the higher and further education of school leavers amongst that population.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) provide a range of services, including vocational training and tertiary education, for Palestine refugees in UNRWA camps. The majority of the UK’s support to UNRWA is channelled through its General Fund, which pays for many of UNRWA’s essential services for refugees. The UK’s contribution to UNRWA’s General Fund will provide, among other things, primary education for over 36,000 refugees a year up to 2015.

We do not currently plan to raise the specific issue of securing additional funds for the higher and further education of school leavers amongst that population. We regularly work with UNRWA and other donors and partners to explore how to best reduce poverty and improve opportunities for Palestine refugees, as well as to improve the Agency’s financial position.