Policy Updates

On January 27, 2024, it was announced that the UK has joined the US and other nations in freezing its funding for the UNRWA for Palestinians in the Near East in light of allegations that 12 UNRWA staff took part in the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel.

The UK government noted that while it remains committed to getting vital humanitarian aid to people in Gaza, it was temporarily pausing future funding while the allegations are reviewed. The UK was the third-largest donor to UNRWA in 2020, but its funding fell sharply in 2021 and 2022. No recorded funding was delivered in 2023.

Assistance workers and Palestinian advocates have stated that freezing funding could have dire impact on humanitarian relief to Gaza.

On October 11, 2023, USAID announced US$130 million in new investments for girls' empowerment as part of its celebration of International Day of the Girl.

USAID's investment is intended to address the barriers that allow girls to be educated, healthy, safe from violence and empowered both economically and socially in order to create conditions for girls to fully engage and thrive in their communities.

The investments included addressing GBV to prevent child marriages and provide other services in at least six different countries, including US$15 million for these services in Bangladesh. Additional funding is slated to promote girls' health, as well as address the barriers to healthcare that girls face. The funds included promoting access to sexual education and SRHR services.

USAID also announced plans to provide funding for investments in girls' education, intended to advance gender equality through educational efforts, including new investments to support access to leadership fields in STEM to address climate and other global challenges.