Jordan’s foreign minister and UNRWA commissioner-general Tuesday held a joint press conference following the international ministerial conference to support the UN agency where they emphasised the importance of supporting UNRWA.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi said the conference bears witness to the international community’s commitment to supporting UNRWA so that it can continue offering its “vital” services for Palestinian refugees, highlighting the importance of the support sustainability.
Safadi highlighted Jordan will continue working with all partners to ensure sufficient support for UNRWA that is suffering from a deficit, adding that today’s meeting pledges support for the coming years.
He noted that UNRWA should keep offering its support for Palestinians until a solution has taken place. He said that an accepted solution must guarantee the right to return for Palestinian refugees and the establishment of a Palestinian state on the June 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
He highlighted that the attendance of representatives of 60 countries and international organisation bodes well, stressing today saw unprecedented financial commitments.
For his part, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini said the UN agency welcomes the commitments to support UNRWA, which will reduce the deficit that is estimated to be around USD 100 million for November and December.
He highlighted that to keep running, UNRWA needs at least USD 800 million every year, saying that the UN agency’s services are vital for Palestinian refugees. He stressed that without it the entire region could be under threat.
Source: Jordan News Agency