Palestine, refugees: aid to the countries in the Near East 2002-2005, 11th EC/UNRWA Convention

PURPOSE : to conclude a new Convention (11th) EC/UNRWA on Community aid to UNRWA programmes as well as to it's food aid programme. COMMUNITY MEASURE : Council Decision 2002/817/EC on the conclusion of the Convention between the European Community and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) concerning aid to refugees in the countries in the Near East (2002 to 2005). CONTENT : the Council approved the Convention between the European Community and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) concerning aid to refugees in the countries of the Near East (2002 to 2005). UNRWA shall receive support to its regular programmes (General Fund) of : - EUR 55,000,000 in 2002 (NB: EUR 45 million are currently foreseen on the UNRWA budget line and will be increased to EUR 55 million subject to budgetary availability); - EUR 57,750,000 in 2003; - EUR 60,637,500 in 2004; - EUR 63,669,375 in 2005. The appropriations under the new convention are intended as contribution towards the financing of UNRWA's regular programmes for around 3.9 million Palestine refugees in five fields of operation: Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. It would also allow for the annual negotiation of the Community contribution to the food aid programme. Taking into account the annual evaluation of the needs of the refugee population, other Community resources can also be mobilised for UNRWA's food aid programme to meet the specific needs of vulnerable groups. The amounts, quantities and characteristics of the commodities, cash and services provided and all other conditions related to support to the food aid programme will be subject to separately agreed conditions, based on annual requests from UNRWA. If necessary, during the life of the Convention, the parties can by mutual agreement increase or decrease those parts of the contributions otherwise fixed under this Convention, on the basis of an exchange of letters between the Community and UNRWA. By the end of 2003, political developments regarding the refugees will be reviewed by the parties, and an evaluation made of any plans UNRWA has formulated. If, during the life of the Convention, any or all of the functions of UNRWA are transferred to the Palestinian Authority or to any other body, necessary adjustments will be made to those parts of the Community contribution to UNRWA under the Convention, on the basis of an exchange of letters between the Community and UNRWA. ENTRY INTO FORCE : the decision shall enter into force on 23/09/2002.�