Since last November’s controversial vote to introduce Palestine as its 195th member, UNESCO has been eager to recoup the funding it lost when the U.S. and Israel withdrew their support for the organization — about 22 percent of the group’s annual budget.  To help fill an immediate $65 million shortfall, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova launched an Emergency Fund open to all donors, from Member States to public institutions, foundations and individuals.

On January 26th, Turkey announced a contribution of $5 million to the Emergency Fund, bringing the total amount paid into the fund to $25.2 million. Ahmet Davutoğlu, Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the Turkish government has “called upon the international community as well as Turkish private sector companies and foundations to extend their support to UNESCO.”

“I would like to warmly thank all of the countries that have shown us their support and their confidence,” Bokova said.  “Many of these countries are also experiencing difficulties and their gesture is all the more appreciated.”

Among the other UNESCO Member States to have contributed to the Emergency Fund are two African countries:  Gabon, whose $2 million donation was the very first received by the fund; and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which donated $3 million earlier this month.  Bokova called the latter donation a “strong message from a country that wants to focus on education, science, culture and communication, and relies on multilateral organizations to help meet the challenges of development.”  She also said that “funds from developing countries will be invested to support their efforts to grow and develop.”

At the time of the U.S. announcement to withdraw its support, David T. Killion, the American ambassador to UNESCO, said that the U.S. remains “deeply committed” to the organization and will seek other means to show its support.  Three months later, it remains unclear how the U.S. will work around legislation that prohibits it from supporting any UN agency that grants Palestine the same standing as Member States.