AMMAN — Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Marc Garneau on
Friday spoke with refugees and paid a visit to centers run by UNRWA in Jerash
camp, according to a UNRWA statement.
اضافة اعلان
He was accompanied by the Canada’s Ambassador to Jordan
Donica Pottie, UNRWA Deputy Commissioner-General Leni Stenseth, and the
Officer-in-Charge of UNRWA Affairs in Jordan Olaf Becker.
While at the UNRWA-run Jerash Preparatory Girls’ School, the
delegation was briefed on the situation of Palestinian refugees in Jordan,
specifically on the vulnerabilities of Gazan and Palestinian refugees from
Syria, as well as recent developments of UNRWA operations in Jordan and across
the region.
The delegation was
also briefed on the financial challenges facing the agency, the impact of
COVID-19 on UNRWA operations, and strategies employed to mitigate them to ensure
continued service to refugees, according to the statement.
After the walk in the camp, the delegation met with a
Palestinian refugee family. They highlighted the challenges they have faced
given the economic situation, which has been further impacted by COVID-19
closures, as well as the support they have received from UNRWA.
“The visit was an opportunity to hear first-hand about the
challenges facing residents of Jerash camp and to speak to youth who are
showing great maturity as they study towards their future careers,” Pottie said
in the statement.
The statement added that Canada pledged JD2.2 million for
UNRWA funding in May 2021, in addition to signing an JD8.5 million three-year pledge
in 2020.
UNRWA deputy commissioner-general, Stenseth, thanked Canada
for their support to UNRWA, adding: “We deeply appreciate the strategic cooperation
that UNRWA and the government of Canada have developed over the past years,
which has been vital to maintaining key services and programs for Palestine
refugee families and communities."
The visit concluded with a meeting with youth studying at
UNRWA vocational training centers, where students shared their personal
stories, challenges with learning during the pandemic, and their future
aspirations, according to the statement.
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