UNRWA HAS NOT DECIDED TO SUSPEND THE SCHOOL YEAR

Amman, 13 Shawwal 1436/29 July 2015 (MINA) – Director-General of the Department of Palestinian Affairs in the Jordanian government Mahmoud Al-Aqrabawi yesterday held an urgent meeting with service and consultative committees in the Palestinian refugee camps to discuss the latest developments regarding UNRWA’s financial crisis, Al-Arab Al-Yawm reported.

UNRWA Director of Operations in Jordan Roger Davies and a number of senior Jordanian officials attended the meeting, which was aimed at discussing reports that UNRWA plans to postpone the start of the upcoming academic year and the organisation’s inability to pay teachers.

Al-Aqrabawi stressed that the Jordanian government will continue to support UNRWA in order to guarantee its services. At the same time, he reiterated that the government refuses any decrease in their services.  Middle East Monitor (Memo) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

The Jordanian foreign minister had sent more than 50 messages to donor countries asking them to support UNRWA, Al-Aqrabawi said.

The Jordanian officials discussed the potential negative repercussions of the decrease of the level of UNRWA services on the Palestinian refugees, calling for donors to urgently offer their support to the organisation.

Davies denied reports that UNRWA is to postpone the start of the upcoming school year.

He also said that the organisation is to submit a report to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and all 193 UN member states.

The report explains the repercussions of UNRWA’s budget deficit for this year. It also explains the plans adopted by UNRWA which are expected to be implemented as an alternative measure in case the financial crisis is not resolved. (T/P002/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)