UNRWA makes urgent plea for $50m to $80m to continue normal operations

AMMAN — UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini on Monday warned that the UN agency has entered a “dangerous zone”, and needs between $50 million and $80 million by the end of this year to continue normal operations.

 “Refugee communities in this region are suffering more and more from conflicts, which means an increase in expenses and services on UNRWA’s part,” Lazzarini said during a press conference on the sidelines of the bi-annual UNRWA Advisory Commission meeting in Amman.

The UN official added that this “entails securing more funding to meet the refugee communities’ needs because UNRWA cannot operate with the same financial resources”.

“UNRWA cannot continue to operate in the same manner in light of the high costs and increased needs as well as the agency’s application of the austerity policy,” Lazzarini said.

Lazzarini pointed out that the poverty rates among Palestinian refugees have reached unprecedented levels, particularly in Syria, Lebanon and Gaza.

In Lebanon, he stated, the situation of Palestinian refugees has “reached a very low level. Most of them live below the poverty line and their lives lack dignity”.

In Gaza, he added that 40 per cent of “the children there cannot have breakfast every morning because of the miserable situation”.

UNRWA’s role is vital in the absence of a just solution to the Palestinian issue, Lazzarini said, adding that the agency is the “largest investment for Palestinian refugees”.

 Also during the press conference, the UN official said that “UNRWA needs around $200 million from the donor community to support the digital transformation of the agency”.

Therefore, he stressed, UNRWA will not be able to continue providing the same quality of services in the education and health sectors.

Lazzarini said that his top two priorities are to continue all critical services for Palestinian refugees and to secure UNRWA employees’ salaries in full.

The top UNRWA official stressed that the meeting between the donors, host communities and UNRWA is an important opportunity to discuss sustainable financial support for the agency.

Lazzarini also welcomed the recent Saudi contribution of $27 million in support of the agency’s programmes and operations in the region.

This contribution from Saudi Arabia will enable UNRWA to continue delivering education and health programmes, reaching the most vulnerable Palestine refugees in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, according to the UN official.

“It is now my hope that we will resume our solid and predictable partnerships with all Gulf countries, including by reaching again the level of funding that UNRWA received from the Arab countries between 2015 and 2018,” he added.

Chair of the Advisory Commission Bassel Hassan also spoke during the press conference, and said that the “next two days are crucial to reach a point of understanding between the donor and host countries and UNRWA”.

“The meetings will put the priorities of all parties involved on the table and will discuss ways of ensuring sustainable support to UNRWA,” Hassan said.

Earlier in the day, Lazzarini thanked Jordan for hosting the advisory commission meeting.

The UN official also expressed his gratitude to Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi for his “unwavering commitment to mobilise support to Palestine refugees and UNRWA”.

Lazzarini said he presented his annual report on UNRWA to the members of the General Assembly’s Fourth Committee.  

Following the strong support expressed by the Fourth committee members, the mandate renewal will be put to a vote at the UN General Assembly later this year, according to Lazzarini.

“We anticipate resounding support, and so do Palestine refugees in the absence of a just and lasting solution to their plight,” Lazzarini said.

This support stems from the deep belief held by most UN member states that UNRWA is irreplaceable for the wellbeing and the fulfillment of the human rights of Palestine refugees, he added.

Lazzarini also said that by the end of this year, UNRWA will release its Strategic Plan covering the years 2023-2028.

This plan is the product of considerable consultation with Advisory Commission members, and sets “our vision and objectives for how we can continue delivering for Palestine refugees,” he said.

The United Nations General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949 with a mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestine refugees in the agency’s area of operations pending a just and lasting solution to their plight. UNRWA operates in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, The Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. 

Tens of thousands of Palestine refugees who lost their homes and livelihoods due to the 1948 conflict continue to be displaced and in need of support, nearly 75 years on. UNRWA helps Palestine Refugees achieve their full potential in human development through quality services it provides in education, health care, relief and social services, protection, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.