Maldives Pledges USD 50,000 Annual Contribution to UNRWA for Palestine

The Maldives has committed USD 50,000 as an annual contribution to support Palestinian refugees through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). The pledge was announced by Dr. Ali Naseer Mohamed, the Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations, during the UNRWA Pledging Conference held on July 1, 2026, at the UN Headquarters. In his address to the international community, Dr. Naseer emphasized that the financial commitment extends beyond a simple budgetary decision. He described the support as a critical investment in preserving the dignity of the Palestinian people and upholding the international rule-based order. Dr. Naseer also addressed the operational hurdles currently facing UNRWA, specifically referencing the false accusations leveled against the agency. He urged member states to provide sustained and predictable funding to ensure that UNRWA can continue to fulfill its essential humanitarian mandate in the region. Reiterating the Maldives' unwavering solidarity with Palestine, the representative highlighted the country's growing commitment to the cause. The current pledge maintains the increased funding level established in 2024, when the Maldives raised its contribution to USD 50,000 from a previous annual sum of USD 5,000. This sustained increase reflects the Maldives' strategic effort to bolster humanitarian aid for Palestinian refugees during a period of heightened instability and urgent need.