The international community demonstrated yesterday its firm commitment to Palestine refugees and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) by providing additional political and financial backing at a conference held at the UN General Assembly, the UNRWA said in a statement today.

Member states collectively confirmed $160 million in pledges to support the health, education, social protection and other essential services that UNRWA delivers in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Gaza, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. The funds also cover some emergency response programs, namely food and cash assistance in the occupied Palestinian territory and Syria.

With the confirmed contributions and those that are forecast over the summer, UNRWA said it expects a shortfall of over $100 million on its core budget, saying it will continue its immense efforts to mobilize the funds it needs to keep essential services running until the end of the year.

The conference brought together dozens of nations to address the Agency’s funding gap, which remains substantial despite the pledges announced. Years of underfunding leave the Agency’s financial reserves depleted and have started to affect the quality of services because of austerity measures.

“Investing in UNRWA means investing in stability for the region,” said the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. “It means investing in the future through education of children and youth, girls and boys, young women and men. And it means honoring the commitment of the international community to Palestine refugees and their rights until a just and durable political solution is found.”

Cascading global crises are undermining the ability of millions of Palestine refugees to meet even simple, day-to-day needs. The situation of Palestine refugees is especially acute in Gaza, Syria and Lebanon, with poverty rates reaching 80 per cent and soaring inflation and food prices.

“The amounts pledged today will go straight to fund education, health and social protection services to Palestine refugees,” said UNRWA Commissioner-General Phillippe Lazzarini. “They will also be used to purchase food and deliver cash assistance to the most vulnerable Palestine refugees. But even with today’s contributions, it will be very challenging to reconcile the requirements of the mandate, the immense hardships of Palestine refugees and the funding shortage that remains.”

“I truly hope that today’s pledges will encourage other partners to step up and provide additional crucial assistance.” “

SOURCE: PALESTINE NEWS & INFO AGENCY