JERUSALEM, April 27, 2018 (WAFA) - The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) expresseD its deep recognition and gratitude for the extraordinary contribution of $50 million announced by King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the recent Arab League Summit in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
“This decision will play a vital role in supporting UNRWA‘s core services, notably education to over half a million Palestine refugee children in the Middle East,” said a press release issued by UNRWA on Friday.
The Agency‘s Commissioner General Pierre Krähenbühl commended this historic contribution saying, "I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation for the strong political and financial support the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has extended to UNRWA and the 5.4 million Palestine refugees we serve."
"The announcement made by His Majesty King Salman bin Abdelaziz Al Saud sends a strong message that Palestine refugees and UNRWA‘s mandate enjoy Saudi Arabia‘s lasting and determined committed support; I am extremely appreciative of this act of generosity and grateful for the trust placed in our Agency," added the Commissioner-General.
At a time when UNRWA is facing an unprecedented financial crisis, Saudi Arabia‘s contribution represents a formidable message of solidarity towards Palestine refugees. It comes in addition to the Kingdom‘s long-standing support for UNRWA, in particular through regular and important donations by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), stressed the release.
Following the announcement, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir said: "UNRWA is playing a vital role in providing basic needs and social services for Palestine refugees. The Government of Saudi Arabia will continue its support to the Palestinian people in all fields.”
These generous contributions by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia make possible the continued protection of Palestine refugees through the provision of education and health care services by UNRWA as well as dedicated protection interventions, concluded the release.
T.R.
