HUNDREDS PROTEST REDUCTION OF UNRWA SERVICES IN GAZA

Gaza City, 11 Shawwal 1436/27 July 2015 (MINA) – Hundreds of Palestinian refugees rallied on Sunday in front of the UNRWA headquarters in Gaza City in protest of a cut of services provided to them by UNRWA.

On June 15 UN Commissioner-General Pierre Krhenbhl announced that UNRWA’s fiscal deficit for 2015 has reached $101 million,  Ma’an News Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

Palestinian refugees in Gaza heavily depend on UNRWA aid, worrying refugees that cuts will deeply affect their livelihood.

Refugees in Gaza have already noticed a cut to health and educational service, leading to Sunday’s rally.

Participants in the rally raised banners denouncing UNRWA decision to reduce some services previously provided.

One banner read: “The reduction in services is leading to Gaza being blasted by poverty, oppression and insecurity.”

Palestinian People’s Party (PPP) official Walid al-Awad said he spoke on behalf of all Palestinian parties in refusing to accept UNRWA’s decision to postpone the beginning of the school year, enforce mandator yearly retirement for workers, and reduce other services provided to refugees in Gaza.

A spokesperson for UNRWA’s Gaza headquarters did not immediately respond for comment.

DFLPF member Talal Abu Zarifa,called on the UNRWA to rethink the new policies, as he said they will negatively affect the lives of Palestinian refugees and aggravate their suffering.

Abu Zarifa urged the international community and donors to support UNRWA financially in order to help the organization overcome its fiscal deficit. (T/P010/R04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)