The European Commission decided, on 5 October, to provide an additional financial package worth €61.4 million for the Occupied Palestinian Territories under the 2010 budget. Some €41.4 million will go towards helping the Palestinian Authority meet its salary obligations for teachers, doctors and nurses in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Some €20 million will be provided to UNRWA’s general fund to allow it to continue to meet its obligations to provide health, education and social protection services to the Palestinian refugee population. This comes in addition to the €295 million already approved from the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI). So far, the Commission has already provided €692 million in support to the Palestinian Authority through this mechanism, with EU member states contributing a further €255 million.

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