RAMALLAH, Thursday, August 1, 2019 (WAFA) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called in an official statement today upon all parties to refrain from “politicization of humanitarian assistance and appeal” that millions of UNRWA-registered Palestine refugees have been receiving.
The ministry expressed its deep regret about the decisions announced recently by two donor countries of suspension of their voluntary contributions to UNRWA.
“These vital contributions rather directly support and ensure the continuity of UNRWA‘s core programs in education for children, healthcare for families, relief and social services, including for youth and women, as well as emergency assistance, including food aid to the poorest among the refugees,” it said.
The statement read, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Palestine regrets the allegations of misconduct that have been reported regarding staff at UNRWA. We understand that a formal UN investigation into the matter is ongoing and await its findings as to the whether the allegations are proven or dismissed.”
It called upon all stakeholders to practice restraint until a formal investigation is concluded and appropriate follow-up can be pursued. The ministry also called for reversal of recent “regrettable decisions that would cause undue harm to the Palestine refugee community and instability across the Agency‘s fields of operation in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.”
The statement added, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Palestine expresses the hope that this matter will be speedily and appropriately resolved, and avails itself of the opportunity to reaffirm its deepest gratitude to the host countries and all donor countries, institutions and organizations for their longstanding support to the Palestine refugees and to the mandate and work of UNRWA, as well as its appreciation to UNRWA staff in all fields of operation for their dedicated service.”
“We urge continuation of such principled support at this critical time and until a just solution for the Palestine refugee question is reached in accordance with the relevant resolutions, including General Assembly resolution 194 (III).”
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