Signing of the US-UNRWA Framework for Action [for Cooperation] The additional support shows once again that we have a continuing partner in the United States who understands the need to provide critical assistance to some of the most vulnerable refugees in the region,” advertiser Commissioner-General of the United Nations agency, Philippe Lazzarini.
urgently needed funding
In April, the US government reinstated support for UNRWA, providing an initial $150 million to the UN agency that provides life-saving services to eligible registered Palestinian refugees across the Middle East.
In May, the United States also provided nearly $33 million in humanitarian assistance to UNRWA in response to the violence in the West Bank and Gaza.
The additional funding will continue to support UNRWA’s core budget – the majority of which funds the operation of more than 700 schools educating more than half a million children and 140 primary health clinics providing 8.5 million patient consultations annually.
It will also support fileemergency calls To the terrible humanitarian challenges in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
The funds will be used for food, emergency cash assistance, emergency health, mental health and psychosocial support, emergency education, protection, water and sanitation, and COVID-19Response.
deficiencies abound
Due to the larger number of registered Palestine refugees, their vulnerability and the exacerbation of their poverty, UNRWA is facing an increasing demand for services.
The agency is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions, and financial support has been outpaced by growth in needs.
As a result, UNRWA’s program budget, which supports the delivery of basic services, is running a significant shortfall.
Furthermore, UNRWA emergency programs and major projects, which are also operating with significant shortfalls, are funded through separate funding portals.
Adhering to the principle of neutrality
Cooperation frameworks are the traditional mechanism by which the United States and international agencies set common goals and priorities.
This latest agreement affirms the commitment of UNRWA and the United States to the humanitarian principles of the United Nations, including the principle of neutrality.
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