Brussels, 17 November 2021 (TDI): Global leaders came together to strengthen support for the UNRWA at an international ministerial conference. The conference was titled “Sustaining the Rights and Human Development of Palestinian Refugees”.
International perspectives on Palestinian refugees
The Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Swedish Foreign Minister Anne Linde were in charge of co-chairing the meeting. They also shared in a joint statement, “UNRWA continues to face repeated, catastrophic funding shortfalls (…), we call on the international community to reform the structural funding model that has so often failed this vital UN Agency by committing to multi-year financing, expanding the donor base, and developing innovative financing mechanisms”.
For his part, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini stated that the conference demonstrates the vital, life-saving role UNRWA plays throughout the Middle East. In addition, these commitments are important to combat political attacks that threaten UNRWA’s work. The organization has been a target although it provides humanitarian aid and human development services to millions of Palestine refugees. Lazzarini also stated that “It is unacceptable that the well-being of these refugees continues to be threatened in the absence of a political, lasting solution to their plight”. The Commissioner called all countries to remain financially committed to this cause.
Moreover, UN Secretary-General António Guterres also spoke at this year’s conference. He pointed out that international leaders should find a way towards more predictable, sufficient, and sustainable funding for the Agency. As he mentioned in his speech, “We need urgent and decisive support to maintain UNRWA’s ability to operate this year, I also urge the Member States to step up longer-term commitments and solidarity and match the generosity of the countries that host Palestine refugees”.
The challenges of UNRWA
During the conference, UNRWA discussed their plans for modernizing the Agency. The officials proposed new measures to be adopted, with a focus on neutrality. Between the principal challenges of the agency, funding cuts, and slow delivery of financial promises are on the top. Both risk the health and educational services offered to Palestinian refugees.
UNRWA operates critical health, education, social protection, and other services in different locations. These include the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Gaza, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. The organization’s annual budget is around US$ 800 million. Additional end-of-year contributions amounting to US$38 million leave UNRWA still in need of US$ 60 million for 2021.
At the conference, eight Member States announced a cumulative/total of over US$ 614 million in new or renewed multi-year agreements with durations from two to five years. UNRWA stated that “the combination of these and existing multi-year pledges if all fully realized at expected levels, would equate to 40 percent of the Agency’s core budget needs for 2022”.
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