Jerusalem, 15 December 2021 (TDI): The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and Italy signed a €3 million agreement. This contribution will support Palestine refugee students in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
According to official information, the agreement was signed at the UNRWA Jerusalem Girls’ School. Furthermore, the event was attended by the Italian Consul General in Jerusalem, Giuseppe Fedele, the Director of AICS, Guglielmo Giordano, and the UNRWA Director of Partnerships, Karim Amer.
UNRWA’s program and Italian contribution
UNRWA plays a crucial role to support the children and the youth of the West Bank to develop their full potential. This project will receive support to ensure an adequate environment for 46,000 UNRWA school students in the West Bank. Moreover, it will guarantee that 96 UNRWA schools are capable to provide the necessary support. As well, UNRWA’s program will improve service delivery of education and promote students’ digital literacy, said a UNRWA press release.
The officials highlighted that the funding will improve the provision of primary, secondary, and tertiary health care at 23 of its health centers and health points. In addition, it will extend its protection services and awareness programming over the next 12 months in protection activities, training, and workshops said the release.
The Agency has also received financial support from Sweden and Germany in the last weeks. This support comes in addition to the US$ 5.7 million which the Government of Sweden contributed towards programs in Gaza.
The long-standing trajectory between UNRWA and Italy
In 2021, the Government of Italy has provided predictable and diverse funding to UNRWA supporting activities across the Agency’s priorities.
Giuseppe Fedele, Consul General of Italy in Jerusalem stated:
“Over the years, Italy has proven to be a reliable and longstanding supporter of UNRWA, its mandate, and activities across all fields of operation. By working to meet both the basic core service requirements and the longer-term needs of more than five million Palestine refugees, UNRWA continues to serve as an essential anchor of stability in the region”.
Different UNRWA’s members highlighted the Italian commitment to Palestine refugees across the Middle East. In particular, understanding the vital importance education plays in supporting the children and the youth of the West Bank to develop their full potential.
