UNRWA Talbieh School for Girls gets green playground funded by Germany

AMMAN — German Ambassador to Jordan Bernhard Kampmann and  Director of External Relations and Communications of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Tamara Alrifai on Monday inaugurated a green play area at the Talbieh Girls’ School in the presence of Acting Director of UNRWA Affairs in Jordan Olaf Becker.

The transformation of the 150sq.m. playground was funded by the government of Germany, following a visit from German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to the Talbieh camp for Palestine refugees in February 2022, where she met students in the Talbieh Girls’ School, run by UNRWA, according to a statement from the UN agency. 

The students spoke with her about their studies, their ambitions and their wishes for a greener camp, with playgrounds and recreational spaces in the otherwise densely built and populated camp.

In a letter read aloud by Ambassador Kampmann, the German foreign minister said: “I am glad that we were able to provide this support — I am convinced that every child deserves a good school and also one with a beautiful school yard. With this project, we want to show that we see the people that UNRWA serves every day and the dedication of UNRWA staff: Teachers, doctors and the humanitarian personnel.”

Both UNRWA and Germany are invested in ensuring environmental sustainability, thus aligning over a shared vision for a green environment. With German support for Palestine refugees, UNRWA is contributing to the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda.

“We are thrilled to see a playground with trees and plants,” said Rifai. 

“UNRWA is strongly advocating for greener camps and for recreational areas for camp residents, including children. Here, it is the children’s right to play and to safety that Germany is directly supporting. It would be fantastic if similar green spaces were replicated across all UNRWA camps in the region,” she continued. 

In his speech, Kampmann also thanked UNRWA for their immediate support to Palestine refugees affected by the earthquakes last week: “Our hearts and thoughts are with those affected by the disastrous earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. We are grateful for UNRWA’s assistance to Palestine refugees — especially in times of hardship, but also every day here in Jordan.”

Germany funds programmes and initiatives that protect the human rights of Palestine refugees across the region, and has contributed approximately 190 million euros to UNRWA operations in 2022.