The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) launched an appeal for $1.6 billion for the agency’s programs and operations in 2023, as it relies almost entirely on voluntary contributions.

According to the United Nations Information Center, the Agency's Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, called for a more sustainable funding model under which UNRWA would have a regular, long-term and predictable source of funding. The UN official warned that without this sustainable model, UNRWA will not be able to play its role in supporting about six million Palestinian refugees.

The Commissioner-General stated that UNRWA continues in all its areas of operations to play an indispensable role in the lives of millions of Palestine refugees, noting that it is working to maintain the provision of basic services in a very difficult financial and political context. “Palestine refugees – one of the most disadvantaged communities in the region – are facing unprecedented challenges and are increasingly dependent on UNRWA for basic services and sometimes simply for survival,” he added.

Philippe Lazzarini said that the multiplying challenges that we faced during the past year, including funding shortages, conflicting global crises, inflation, supply chain disruptions, geopolitical changes, and the huge rise in levels of poverty and unemployment among Palestine refugees, have placed enormous pressures on UNRWA. Palestine is now below the poverty line, while many of them depend on humanitarian aid, which includes cash and food assistance provided by UNRWA.

Commissioner-General Lazzarini added that UNRWA has been - for more than 70 years - providing for and responding to the needs of Palestine refugees against all odds, and has assumed a great responsibility until a just and lasting political solution is reached. He stressed the need for us not to remain in a state of continuous seeking to bring financial aid to cover the expenses of our contribution to the promotion of human rights and stability.

As the only UN organization that provides services directly comparable to those of the public sector, UNRWA is globally recognized for its cost-effectiveness, efficiency and quality. UNRWA operates an integrated education system that includes more than 700 schools, providing education to more than half a million children in the region. Its approximately 30,000 employees - most of whom are Palestine refugees - provide health, sanitation, education and social services, including food and cash aid.
Source: Middle East News Agency