UNRWA Appeals for Greater Contribution to Aid Efforts for Palestine Refugees

Amman, 15 Safar 1438/15 November 2016 (MINA) – Representatives of UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and refugee hosting Arab countries highlighted need of finding long-term solutions to financial difficulties facing aid effort, KUNA reported.

During its meeting on Monday, the UNRWA Advisory Commission explored ways for mobilizing more resources to finance the aid activities of UNRWA, Chair of the advisory commission Manuel Bessler said.

The meeting of the commission was preceded by a coordinating meeting with representatives of Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and Palestine as well as the Arab League, added Ambassador Bessler who is also Delegate for Humanitarian Aid and Head of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA).

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Meanwhile, Pierre Krahenbuhl, the UNRWA Commissioner-General, said it is unacceptable for the aid donors to feel reluctant to respond to the mounting suffering of the refugees

The financial difficulties facing the UNRWA and its partners, including the refugee hosting countries are intolerable, he stressed

The UNRWA Commissioner-General welcomed as very important the meeting of the Advisory Commission which will conclude tomorrow, Tuesday.

On his part, Jordanian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bishr Al-Khasawneh urged the rich countries to expand their contributions in order to enable UNRWA to meet the needs of the refugees.

He warned the UNRWA, in a statement to its meeting today, against trimming the services offered to the refugees.

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The Jordanian minister advised the agency to reset priority order of its aid programs in coordination with the refugee hosting countries and involve the private sector in funding these programs.

Founded in December 1949 following the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN Member States.

It also receives some funding from the Regular Budget of the United Nations, which is used mostly for international staffing costs.

The Agency’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance, including in times of armed conflict. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)