UN Chief Supports UNRWA’s Essential Role

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

New York, 18 Ramadan 1438/13 June 2017 (MINA) – UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on all member states to continue their support to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugee in the Near East (UNRWA) to fulfill its essential role, KUNA reported.

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In a statement, the UN Chief expressed his concern about recent public criticism of the UNRWA and the integrity of its operations.

He expressed his support for UNRWA and his admiration for the role it plays in delivering essential services and protecting the rights of millions of Palestine refugees across the Middle East.

“UNRWA is mandated by the General Assembly whose members have repeatedly acknowledged the Agency’s unique contribution to peace and security in that region,” the statement added.

According to Guterres, UNRWA operates in the front lines of “difficult conflict situations” and provides education for half a million refugee girls and boys, teaching them human rights and tolerance. Therefore, he stressed that Its education and relief activities contribute critically to stability in the region.

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The statement said the UN Secretary General called on all Member States to continue their support to the Agency, in order for it to be in a position to fulfill “impartially and efficiently” its essential role and to implement its humanitarian mandate to serve Palestinian refugees until a just and durable solution to their situation is found.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday it was time to dismantle UNRWA, which was established by the UN General Assembly in 1949 and provides aid to around five million Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)

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