JERUSALEM, December 11, 2017 (WAFA) - Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees, Pierre Krähenbühl, said on Monday that during this troubled time, UNRWA is more determined than ever to protect rights of Palestinian refugees.
"The level of anxiety and tension has risen again in the Middle-East and all eyes are turned to Jerusalem," he said in a taped statement.
"I stand here within the Old City of Jerusalem to assure you - the Palestine Refugees - that UNRWA is more determined than ever to protect your rights and meet your needs. Nothing is more important to me than fulfilling that mission. It is a mandate that reflects the will of the international community and was extended by the United Nations General Assembly a year ago."
Krähenbühl said that with a financial deficit of $49 million, he is conscious of the concern of the refugees about disruption of UNRWA services, adding that he has appealed to the highest levels of the international community to preserve UNRWA‘s "vital work."
"So, today I am announcing that UNRWA services - here in East-Jerusalem, in the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon - will continue without interruption in 2018," he said.
"UNRWA‘s 711 schools will remain open. Palestine refugee students will continue to have access to the education that develops their skills and preserves their opportunities. UNRWA‘s 143 clinics will remain open and Palestine refugees will have access to the care, both physical and psychosocial, that is so dearly needed.
"UNRWA‘s relief and social services, sanitation and camp improvement work, its micro-finance, protection and emergency activities will continue in all fields."
Krähenbühl called on all hosts and donors to further increase their mobilization in support of UNRWA services, "which must continue until a just and lasting solution has been found. It is a matter of dignity for the 5.3 million Palestine refugees."
He reiterated statement by the UN Secretary-General António Guterres when he said "Jerusalem is a final status issue that must be resolved through direct negotiations between the two parties on the basis of the relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions [...]There is no alternative to the Two-State Solution. There is no plan B."
Krähenbühl concluded his statement saying: "UNRWA‘s role was described as indispensable by the United Nations General Assembly in New York. It did so because it has a responsibility towards you, the Palestine Refugees. The future of your children matters and UNRWA stands for you. Not for charity, but for respect and for rights, for hope and for dignity. Our common humanity depends on it."
M.K.
