Published : 05-02-2022
According to the spokesman for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Adnan Abu Hasna, Arab states have cut their support for the agency from $200 million down to just $20 million per year.
In response to this situation, UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini has appealed to donors in order to prevent the collapse of the agency and its services.
Abu Hasna mentioned that the UK has also cut its aid to UNRWA by 60 percent, pointing out that “the agency’s resources have not developed and the budget has not increased in proportion to the rise in the number of Palestinian refugees, negatively impacting the host countries, the refugees, and the quality of the agency’s services.”
According to Abu Hasna, UNRWA’s 2022 budget has not increased at all since the previous year, which will cause problems due to the rise of poverty rates and refugees. He went on to say that funds are available until next March, and the agency is hoping to obtain additional support from donor countries.
Commissioner-general Lazzarini held a meeting with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on 3 February, to discuss ways to support the agency and provide “sufficient and sustainable” assistance in order for it to continue its services to the 5.7 million refugees in its five areas of operation (Jordan, the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon and Syria), a Jordanian Foreign Ministry statement said.
Lazzarini warned of the humanitarian, political and security risk to the stability of the region in the event that UNRWA would no longer be able to offer its services.
Jordan, for its part, has pledged its continued support for UNRWA and has promised to coordinate with regional and international partners to mobilize the needed support for the agency to continue its services.
UNRWA is in need of $1.6 billion in funds from the international community, having already obtained the $806 million minimum needed to cover basic services such as education, healthcare, and social services for refugees.
According to the spokesman for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Adnan Abu Hasna, Arab states have cut their support for the agency from $200 million down to just $20 million per year.
In response to this situation, UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini has appealed to donors in order to prevent the collapse of the agency and its services.
Abu Hasna mentioned that the UK has also cut its aid to UNRWA by 60 percent, pointing out that “the agency’s resources have not developed and the budget has not increased in proportion to the rise in the number of Palestinian refugees, negatively impacting the host countries, the refugees, and the quality of the agency’s services.”
According to Abu Hasna, UNRWA’s 2022 budget has not increased at all since the previous year, which will cause problems due to the rise of poverty rates and refugees. He went on to say that funds are available until next March, and the agency is hoping to obtain additional support from donor countries.
Commissioner-general Lazzarini held a meeting with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on 3 February, to discuss ways to support the agency and provide “sufficient and sustainable” assistance in order for it to continue its services to the 5.7 million refugees in its five areas of operation (Jordan, the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon and Syria), a Jordanian Foreign Ministry statement said.
Lazzarini warned of the humanitarian, political and security risk to the stability of the region in the event that UNRWA would no longer be able to offer its services.
Jordan, for its part, has pledged its continued support for UNRWA and has promised to coordinate with regional and international partners to mobilize the needed support for the agency to continue its services.
UNRWA is in need of $1.6 billion in funds from the international community, having already obtained the $806 million minimum needed to cover basic services such as education, healthcare, and social services for refugees.
