AMMAN — A Swedish delegation finished a visit to
Souf refugee camp near Jerash on Tuesday. The delegation toured a UNRWA-run
school and health center, according to a statement from
UNRWA.
اضافة اعلان
In addition to touring the school and health facility, the delegation
spoke with Palestinian youth, were briefed about UNRWA’s operations to support
vulnerable Palestinians, and met with a family to hear about how
COVID and
living conditions were affecting their lives.
The delegation included Swedish state secretary for
international development cooperation, Janine Alm Ericson, the director-general
of the Swedish International Development Agency Carin Jämtin, the ambassador of
Sweden to Jordan Alexandra Sofia Rydmark, the director general of the
Department of Palestinian Affairs, Rafiq Khirfan, and the director of UNRWA
affairs in Jordan, Marta Lorenzo.
At the UNRWA Souf Girls School, the delegation heard a
briefing about the situation of Palestine refugees in Jordan and across the
region, according to the statement. They were also briefed about UNRWA efforts
in education, health, relief, and social services as well as cross-cutting
priorities and the specific vulnerabilities of ex-Gazans and Palestinians who
have fled Syria.
The delegation also met with Palestine refugee youth
studying in UNRWA vocational training centers, who shared their experiences and
the challenges of learning during the pandemic.
“The difficult situation for the Palestinian people has
become even worse during the last year. The pandemic and in some of its fields
of operation increasing violence, as well as insufficient funding have made
UNRWA’s work more difficult than ever,” Ericson said in the statement. “Later
this year, Jordan and Sweden will host an international conference to take
important steps towards a sustainable funding of UNRWA. The international
community needs to come together to back the rights and dignity of the
Palestinian people.”
The visit was concluded with a talks with Palestine refugee
families residing in Souf refugee camp, where the delegation listened to them
share how the pandemic has affected their living situation.
Marta Lorenzo, director of UNRWA affairs in Jordan said:
“Today the support is more needed than ever, as refugees’ numbers and daily
requirements are in constant increase. And their lives are getting harder
because of COVID-19.”
The statement added that Sweden has provided over $50
million in unearmarked support to the Program Budget and Emergency Appeals and
recently pledged an additional $1.2 million to UNRWA.
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