Brazil admitted to UN relief agency's top consultative body

The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to admit Brazil to the Advisory Commission of the United Nations Relief Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) as a full member, the agency reported Tuesday.

The vote marked the first time a Latin American country was admitted to the agency's top consultative body, which advises on "key strategic decisions," said the UNRWA.

"Brazil is the first Latin American country to be represented on the Advisory Commission, cementing a relationship that has grown remarkably over the past five years," the UNRWA said.

Brazil's "increased support culminated in 9.2 million U.S. dollars worth of donations to UNRWA in 2014, in the form of rice for vulnerable and food-insecure refugees," the agency said, adding "Brazil also contributed 8 million dollars to UNRWA between 2012 and 2013."

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was also admitted to the commission.

"Both Brazil and the UAE have been exemplary partners, providing steadfast support to UNRWA operations, including during and after the 50-day Gaza conflict," UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krahenbuhl said.

The 50-day Israeli-Palestinian conflict which began on July 8 left more than 2,200 people dead, mostly Palestinian civilians.

The UNRWA relief agency was created in 1949 to protect displaced Palestinian refugees in several Middle East countries.

With the addition of Brazil and the UAE, the UNRWA's advisory commission now has 27 members and three observers.