Scottish Government donations to UNWRA between October 2023 - March 2024: FOI release

Information requested

1. I wish to know how much money the Scottish Government has donated to UNWRA since October 2023 until end of March 2024? 

2. Further more i would like to request what checks and balances within reason have been put in place to ensure that this money does not fall into the hands of Hamas and other proscribed organisations.

3. Finally as part of this request I would like to be furnished with the details of which elected representatives proposed that this money be sent to UNWRA and which elected representatives "signed off" on the financial donation / donations?

Response

Regarding the first and third questions, all of the information requested is available from the links below:

• Humanitarian aid funding - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
• Humanitarian aid for Gaza - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
• Correspondence regarding United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA): FOI release - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

These funds were approved by the former Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, as per the standard process for Ministerial approving funding under the Culture, Europe and International Development portfolio. 

Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the websites listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy. 

The answer to your second question is the entire amount of £750,000 was transferred to United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), and receipted appropriately, according to standard Scottish Government payment procedures. As per the terms of the agreement with UNRWA:

• The Contributions shall be administered in accordance with UNRWA’s Regulations, Rules, Organization Directives, Instructions and any other parts of its regulatory framework, as well as its policies, and procedures (collectively, the UNRWA Regulatory Framework).
• UNRWA shall provide Scottish Government with the UNRWA Annual Operational Report (AOR) for the period 1 January 2023 until 31 December 2023.
• UNRWA shall provide the UNRWA financial report and audited financial statements for the period 1 January 2023 until 31 December 2023, submitted by the UN Board of Auditors to the UN General Assembly, that will be available on: United Nations Board of Auditors

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