ShareNEW YORK/AMMAN: Kuwait has affirmed its firm support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, and its objectives, as it is a cornerstone of stability in the region. This came in a speech delivered by Kuwait's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mansour Al-Otaibi during a recent meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee of the General Assembly for the Announcement of Voluntary Contributions to UNRWA. Kuwait's latest show of support was in October of 2021 as it pledged $21.5 million for the agency to support Palestinian refugees, as well as two million dollars designated for the agency's regular budget.
Otaibi commented that Kuwait's support to UNRWA's work stems from its firm belief in the fairness of the Palestinian cause and the agency's pivotal role in alleviating the suffering of Palestinian refugees. He added that Kuwait is following the agency's unprecedented political and financial challenges with great concern, calling on the international community to take a solid stance in supporting work of agency.
'Very essential'
Otaibi went on to say that the agency's work is now more essential than ever as coronavirus pandemic took the world by storm, paralyzing all flanks of life and affecting people and countries involved in political and military conflicts, with Palestinians at the helm.
He reiterated Kuwait's support to the reformative path the agency is taking, and its efforts in bolstering transparency, commending its priorities as it works on updating its internal affairs, including digitalization, governance, decentralizing decision-making and abiding by principles of objectivities.
Otaibi also hailed UNRWA's commitment to insuring a stable, sustained and diverse financing base via working with international institutions, global funds, and private sector. Moreover, Otaibi stated that clear political support to the agency is not a matter of dispute but is essential to helping it carry on its humanitarian activities.
Donors pledge $160 million
Donor countries have pledged $160 million for UNRWA to finance essential services provided to Palestinian refugees in West Bank, Gaza, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. "The amounts pledged today will go straight to fund education, health and social protection services to Palestine refugees," said UNRWA Commissioner-General Phillippe Lazzarini in a press release on Friday. "They will also be used to purchase food and deliver cash assistance to the most vulnerable Palestine refugees."
The pledges were made at a Pledging Conference held at the United Nations General Assembly in the presence of the Secretary-General. The conference brought together dozens of nations to address the Agency's funding gap, which remains substantial despite the pledges announced. The UN Agency unveiled that with the confirmed contributions and those that are forecast over the summer, it expects a shortfall of over $100 million on its core budget.
But even with today's contributions, it will be very challenging to reconcile the requirements of the mandate, the immense hardships of Palestine refugees and the funding shortage that remains," Lazzarini added. The Agency pointed out that it will continue its immense efforts to mobilize the funds it needs to keep essential services running until the end of the year. "I truly hope that today's pledges will encourage other partners to step up and provide additional crucial assistance," Lazzarini said.
Refugees' aid
In other news, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Jordan and Kuwait's Sheikh Abdullah Al-Nouri Charity Society renewed their partnership deal, which provides relief for nearly 2,100 Syrian refugee families worth $500,000.
The UN refugee agency honored the visiting delegation from the registered Kuwaiti charity, headed by Board Chairman Jamal Abdulkhaleq Al-Nouri, for their efforts targeting displaced Syrians at several refugee camps in Jordan. The event saw UNHCR Deputy Representative Carolyn Ennis praise the support provided by the charity to the agency's endeavors, reiterating pride in their partnership, which aims to support efforts to alleviate the suffering of the refugees. - KUNA
