Published : 30-08-2018
UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krähenbühl said it was because of students like “Aya” that the agency decided to open its schools on time this week, notwithstanding a shortfall of over 200 million USD— an unprecedented deficit in UNRWA’s 70-year history.
Referring to student Aya Abbas, whom he had met last month, Krähenbühl said: “The 9th grader from Yarmouk refugee camp outside Damascus was the highest scoring student across Syria. Despite the extraordinary adversities she faced as a Palestine refugee child, including forced displacement from the camp where she was born and raised, she outperformed her peers in all subjects. Her courage and determination exemplify the commitment of 526’000 students at our 711 schools in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Gaza and West Bank (including East Jerusalem).”
“Many people expressed deep satisfaction for what they considered a courageous decision. However, the real heroes who deserve our solidarity are the half a million students in our schools whose faith in UNRWA—and by extension the international community—remains unwavering, despite repeated uncertainty and the absence of political horizon”, added Krähenbühl.
“In recognition of that faith, and to pay tribute to the many donors who either significantly increased or advanced their contributions this year, we are opening our schools to celebrate one of the most successful human development programs in the Middle East”, he stated. “For decades, donors have recognized that UNRWA is a force multiplier for stability in one of the most the volatile regions around the world.
“Moreover, the prospect of over half a million students not attending schools was deeply unsettling for the host countries who have generously welcomed hundreds of thousands of refugees for decades”, the statement further read.
“As we deservedly celebrate the opening of our schools on time, however, we must not lose sight of the fact that we are still facing severe and crippling financial crises. The year began with the regrettable decision by the US Administration to cut 300 million USD from its planned annual contribution to our budget, adding to a pre-existing deficit of 146 million USD,” UNRWA Commissioner-General warned.
“Refugees like Aya Abbas are not defined by their enduring displacement but by their sheer determination to realize their full human potential”, he said. “And as she and many others have proven over the years, Palestine refugees are one of the most industrious people around the world if they are given the necessary tools and opportunities. Time and again, they demonstrated their extraordinary attachment to the quality education and other vital services we provide.”
“We must not let half a million students like Aya down. And we cannot wish them away either. Palestine refugees have been told to have a faith in peace processes until “a just and lasting solution” is found to their plight. Decades later, they have neither justice nor a lasting solution.”
“The international community has a moral responsibility to sustain vital services such as education and health for Palestine refugees until the political conflict is settled. Because dignity is priceless”, Krähenbühl’s statement concluded.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krähenbühl said it was because of students like “Aya” that the agency decided to open its schools on time this week, notwithstanding a shortfall of over 200 million USD— an unprecedented deficit in UNRWA’s 70-year history.
Referring to student Aya Abbas, whom he had met last month, Krähenbühl said: “The 9th grader from Yarmouk refugee camp outside Damascus was the highest scoring student across Syria. Despite the extraordinary adversities she faced as a Palestine refugee child, including forced displacement from the camp where she was born and raised, she outperformed her peers in all subjects. Her courage and determination exemplify the commitment of 526’000 students at our 711 schools in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Gaza and West Bank (including East Jerusalem).”
“Many people expressed deep satisfaction for what they considered a courageous decision. However, the real heroes who deserve our solidarity are the half a million students in our schools whose faith in UNRWA—and by extension the international community—remains unwavering, despite repeated uncertainty and the absence of political horizon”, added Krähenbühl.
“In recognition of that faith, and to pay tribute to the many donors who either significantly increased or advanced their contributions this year, we are opening our schools to celebrate one of the most successful human development programs in the Middle East”, he stated. “For decades, donors have recognized that UNRWA is a force multiplier for stability in one of the most the volatile regions around the world.
“Moreover, the prospect of over half a million students not attending schools was deeply unsettling for the host countries who have generously welcomed hundreds of thousands of refugees for decades”, the statement further read.
“As we deservedly celebrate the opening of our schools on time, however, we must not lose sight of the fact that we are still facing severe and crippling financial crises. The year began with the regrettable decision by the US Administration to cut 300 million USD from its planned annual contribution to our budget, adding to a pre-existing deficit of 146 million USD,” UNRWA Commissioner-General warned.
“Refugees like Aya Abbas are not defined by their enduring displacement but by their sheer determination to realize their full human potential”, he said. “And as she and many others have proven over the years, Palestine refugees are one of the most industrious people around the world if they are given the necessary tools and opportunities. Time and again, they demonstrated their extraordinary attachment to the quality education and other vital services we provide.”
“We must not let half a million students like Aya down. And we cannot wish them away either. Palestine refugees have been told to have a faith in peace processes until “a just and lasting solution” is found to their plight. Decades later, they have neither justice nor a lasting solution.”
“The international community has a moral responsibility to sustain vital services such as education and health for Palestine refugees until the political conflict is settled. Because dignity is priceless”, Krähenbühl’s statement concluded.
