News

Despite ‘rampant’ poverty, ‘existential’ lack of funding impedes UNRWA’s work |



Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees, said that a prolonged and severe funding shortfall could even lead to its demise.

“Today, austerity has reached its limit and is affecting the quality of our services,” Mr. speak, emphasizing that despite “pervasive” poverty, the agency is no longer able to increase the number of refugees it supports.

He added that “austerity reaches its limit when we put 50 children in a classroom or leave the most needy children without transportation or stationery … when a doctor A doctor can only spend three minutes on a patient…[and] when many teachers and sanitation workers are daily wage earners. These are frontline workers and I am heartbroken that UNRWA has not been able to provide them with more stable jobs.”

Depression

In an open letter to Palestinian refugees, Mr. Lazzarini wrote that he was “painfully aware” that further uncertainty over UNRWA’s “catastrophic” financial situation had added an additional layer of distress to UNRWA. their life.

When everything around you falls apart, being able to send your kids to school, get health care and join the social safety net is a lifesaver.”, he added.

The Commissioner-General spoke about his many meetings with Palestinian refugees throughout the year, including with children in Gaza who were traumatized this past May. 10 days exchanges of missile fire and air strikes between Israeli forces and armed groups in the region.

He also recalled encountering refugee families on the West Coast “living with the daily threat of forced displacement; young graduates of the Burj Baranjeh camp, whose only hope for a better future is to migrate through perilous migration routes; and refugees in Jordan, who face enormous financial difficulties under the COVID-19“.

Today, more than 5 million Palestinians have registered with UNRWA for asylum in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.

Political attack

In his open letter, Mr. Lazzarini said that since 2018, political attacks on the agency’s mission have threatened to sever the “lifeline” of education, health care and social welfare. provided by UNWRA.

The attacks are based on the foolish and false idea that by shutting down UNRWA they will wipe out 5.8 million Palestinian refugees – UN official

“These attacks are aimed at damaging the Agency’s reputation…[and] based on the foolish and false idea that by shutting down UNRWA, they will wipe out 5.8 million Palestinian refugees,” he said.

“Let me assure you that your rights, including the right to return and compensation, are enshrined in international law and United Nations resolutions and have nothing to do with UNRWA’s mandate.”

The head of the agency admits that for nearly a decade, stagnant funding has remained below the level needed to deliver quality services.

At the same time as the refugee population has continued to grow, poverty and vulnerability have skyrocketed.

To promote long-term funding security, Mr. Lazzarini said that the agency planned to expand its funding base, increase digital fundraising, and review innovative funding mechanisms to ensure that refugees Palestinian refugees have continued access to all services.



Source link

news7f

News7F: Update the world's latest breaking news online of the day, breaking news, politics, society today, international mainstream news .Updated news 24/7: Entertainment, Sports...at the World everyday world. Hot news, images, video clips that are updated quickly and reliably

Related Articles

Back to top button