AMMAN, Thursday, November 21, 2019 (WAFA) – The United Arab Emirates announced today its contribution of $12.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
The UNRWA said this extraordinary financial contribution will help it continue to provide critical humanitarian services and operations for the remainder of 2019 in the areas of primary healthcare, education and social services across its five fields of operation.
This is the second contribution by the UAE to the Agency this year and is one of four disbursements totaling $50 million.
"This generous donation could not have come at a more important time for the Agency and for Palestine refugees," said UNRWA Acting Commissioner-General Christian Saunders. "UNRWA is doing all it can to overcome the worst financial crisis in its 70 year history and the UAE‘s disbursement of funding is a most welcome demonstration of confidence in the organization and its management."
The UAE announced its pledge of $50 million in July, matching the extraordinary contribution made by the Gulf country to the UNRWA program budget in 2018.
Additional disbursements are expected before the end of 2019, making the UAE a top donor to the Agency for the second year in a row. In 2018, the UAE was the 6th largest contributor to UNRWA.
The Acting Commissioner-General expressed his deep appreciation on behalf of the 5.5 million Palestine refugees served by UNRWA. "The message to Palestine refugees from the UAE leadership and people today is one of reassurance and a renewal of their historic commitment," said Saunders. "I am hopeful that this strong demonstration of trust in UNRWA will encourage others to support the crucial work of the Agency," said Saunders.
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