NEW YORK, September 1, 2018 (WAFA) – United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed deep regret on Friday over a United States decision to stop all aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA).
US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert announced on Friday that the US will not make any additional contributions to UNRWA, saying that the fact that UNRWA provides aid to an “expanding community of entitled beneficiaries,” is an “irredeemably flawed operation.”
Nauert was making reference to the descendants of the Palestinian refugees who were forced out of Palestine in 1948 when Israel was created and who the US administration has decided should not be considered refugees and therefore are not entitled for aid, which prompted the Palestinians to believe the US plans to eliminate the entire Palestinian refugee issue in a step aimed at serving Israel’s interest and its occupation.
The US is the largest contributor to UNRWA with around $350 million annual aid.
“We regret the United States’ decision to provide no further funding to UNRWA, which provides essential services to Palestine refugees and contributes to stability in the region,” said Guterres spokesman Stephane Dujarric, explaining that “UNRWA enjoys the full confidence of the Secretary-General.”
“UNRWA has a strong record of providing high-quality education, health and other essential services, often in extremely difficult circumstances, to Palestine refugees who are in great need,” said the UN spokesman.
“The Secretary-General calls on other countries to help fill the remaining financial gap, so that UNRWA can continue to provide this vital assistance, as well as a sense of hope this vulnerable population.”
UNRWA spokesman Chris Gunness also expressed the Agency’s “deep regret and disappointment” at the US decision.
“This decision is all the more surprising given that UNRWA and the United States renewed a funding agreement in December 2017 which had acknowledged the successful, dedicated and professional management of the Agency,” he said in a tweet.
“We reject in the strongest possible terms the criticism that UNRWA’s schools, health centers, and emergency assistance programs are ‘irredeemably flawed’. These very programs have a proven track record in creating one of the most successful human development processes and results in the Middle East. The international state community, our donors and host countries have consistently praised UNRWA for its achievements and standards,” said Gunness.
The UNRWA spokesman said that his Agency “will continue to provide high quality services and assistance to over 5.4 million Palestine refugees in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.”
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