South Korea making 'all-time high' donation to UN Palestinian refugee agency of $2.1 million

South Korea signed its highest-ever donation of $2.1 million to UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA on Tuesday, in the wake of a devastating Israeli bombing campaign on the Gaza Strip.

The signing took place at UNRWA's occupied East Jerusalem headquarters, according to a press release from the agency on Wednesday.

"This all-time high contribution from Korea is a very welcome message of support to Palestine refugees," said UNRWA partnerships director Karim Amer.

Some $1 million of South Korea's contribution will aid with food assistance work in the besieged Gaza Strip, where Israel launched on Friday a deadly three-day bombing campaign that killed 48 Palestinians, including 17 children.

"After this recent conflict in Gaza, where humanitarian support is urgently needed, it is especially timely and meaningful to help Palestine refugees through the life-saving UNRWA food assistance program," said South Korea's representative to Palestine, Si-Jin Song.

Around $1 million of Seoul's donation will go to vocational education for Palestinian refugees in Jordan.

UNRWA works in occupied East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as well as in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

There are around 5.6 million refugees eligible for the agency's assistance, according to its website.

Si-Jin said UNRWA "plays an important role in the Middle East" and Seoul is "glad to be able to support its efforts".

UNRWA's press release called South Korea "one of the important UNRWA donors from East Asia".

The agency said that the "enduring support" of donors such as the Korean government enables UNRWA to offer "vital services to Palestine refugees across the Middle East", despite ongoing difficulties, which include shrinking funds.