Brussels, 17 November 2021 (TDI): UN Secretary-General, António Guterres outlined that UNRWA is playing an integral role in “peace and hope ” for Palestine refugees. Secretary-General was addressing a conference. The Governments of Jordan and Sweden organized the conference for the Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in Brussels.
United Nations Relief and Works Agency
UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. It supports the human development of Palestine refugees.
António Guterres lauded the agency’s accomplishments. For instance, it is providing children with a high-quality education as well as investing in human development. Consequently, it has made contributions to Palestinian communities.
“An investment in UNRWA is an investment in peace and hope”, he enunciated.
.@antonioguterres:
“I am grateful to all @UNRWA staff for their tireless efforts to deliver, protect the rights of #Palestine refugees and support their human development.Let’s help them help Palestine refugees. An investment in UNRWA is an investment in peace and hope.” pic.twitter.com/GntpfgVXrj
— UN Geneva (@UNGeneva) November 17, 2021
Regional stability
UNRWA is playing an integral role in promoting regional stability. However, Guterres mentioned that UNRWA continues to face an existential crisis.
There is a need to protect UNRWA from being used as a political pawn. Moreover, there is a need to focus on its ability of humanitarian principles along with its unrelenting commitment to shared UN values.
He also underscored that UNRWA lacked sufficient funding. There is a need for adequate resources to assist Palestine refugees in a better way.
Funding for UNRWA
Secretary-General made specific requests to UN member states to provide more budget. The first one is, to bridge the immediate funding gap. Consequently, it will keep UNRWA’s essential health, education, and services active. Secondly, he underscored the Member States to step up for long-term commitments and solidarity. He also urged the countries to match the generosity of the countries that host Palestine refugees.
Peace and Hope
Concluding the conference Secretary-General expressed deep admiration for UNRWA’s “day-in-day-out” work. He mentioned that UNRWA staff is working under extreme duress to assist Palestine refugees, to give the basic service. Certainly, it is a ray of peace and hope.
“Let’s help them help Palestine refugees. An investment in UNRWA is an investment in peace and hope”
The compelling story of global solidarity
UNRWA Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini described the agency as a “ truly compelling story of global solidarity”.
He mentioned it is a tragic example of ineffective and insufficient financial support. Moreover if “real solutions” are not found now or in the future, the institution will very soon jump over the brink.
He urged the conference participants to give their political support to the agency. Most importantly there is a need for sufficient and sustainable resources.
He highlighted that the countries’ support will ensure that UNRWA work. It will continue its irreplaceable and trusted lifeline for Palestine refugees until and unless a stable political solution is achieved.
