Austria Contributes 1.5 Million Euro to Support UNRWA

Gaza, MINA – The Government of Austria, through the Austrian Development Agency, has contributed EUR 1.5 million (US$ 1,802,885) to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in support of the Agency’s health programme in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt).

UNRWA currently operates a network of 65 primary health-care facilities and mobile clinics to serve the more than 2 million Palestine refugees registered with UNRWA in the West Bank and Gaza, offering preventive, basic and advanced medical care services tailored to each stage of life, the UN agency said.

The contribution from Austria will go support UNRWA delivery of comprehensive primary health care through ensuring adequate and timely availability of essential medicines and supplies, protecting and promoting women and family health, maintaining immunization coverage against vaccine-preventable childhood illness, and providing care for patients with non-communicable diseases.

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By supporting the UNRWA ‘Family Health Team’ approach, this contribution will also contribute to addressing cross-cutting issues that impact Palestine refugees’ health such as diet and physical activity, education, gender-based violence, child protection, poverty and community development.

“We are committed to supporting the UNRWA health care programme in a sustainable way for the benefit of each and every Palestine refugee,” said Dr. Andrea Nasi, Austrian Representative in Ramallah. “It is crucial to put the individual at the core of development via a comprehensive human security approach so that he or she can achieve their full potential in society.”

“Ensuring universal access to quality comprehensive services is the vital step to enable Palestinian refugees live long and healthy lives and I sincerely thank Austria for their support,” said Francoise Vanni, Director of the UNRWA Department of External Relations and Communications.

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Austria is a long-standing supporter of UNRWA, and especially the Agency’s health programme in the oPt, having contributed in total EUR 21,557,811 (US$ 28,807,804) since 2007.(R/R04/RE1)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)