AMMAN — The US administration’s decision to restore
funding to UNRWA came as a relief to the organization, as they expressed their
hope for "more to come."
اضافة اعلان
"We welcome the current US administration's
decision to restore a part of the funding, however, we hope more will come,"
Tamara Refai, an UNRWA spokesperson told
Jordan News.
The $150m pledged by, President Joe Biden's
administration came at a time when UNRWA was having trouble raising funds.
"Our most generous donors could not provide as
they used to before the pandemic. Due to the pandemic, most donors started
looking inwards", said Refai.
"We see this resumption as a symbolic move in
support of Palestinians from the current administration", the spokesperson
added.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a
statement "US foreign assistance for the Palestinian people serves
important US interests and values. It provides critical relief to those in great
need, fosters economic development, and supports Israeli-Palestinian
understanding, security coordination and stability. It also aligns with the
values and interests of our allies and partners. The United States is committed
to advancing prosperity, security, and freedom for both Israelis and
Palestinians in tangible ways in the immediate term, which is important in its
own right, but also as a means to advance towards a negotiated two-state
solution."
During the COVID-19 pandemic, UNRWA was faced with
more challenges as the organization was expected to provide Palestinian
refugees with health, education and social services.
"Refugees looked at us as citizens look at their
states because we provide statelike services. We were facing growing challenges
during the COVID-19 and refugees needed more to face the repercussions of the
pandemic and the growing impoverishment", added Refai.
Minister of foreign affairs, Ayman Safadi, welcomed
the US administration decision calling it a "great step".
In a tweet, the top diplomat said "We highly
appreciate US decision announced by Secretary Blinken to resume its financial
assistance to UNRWA. This support will help the agency maintain its vital
humanitarian, educational & health services to Palestinian refugees. Great
step."
In 2018, the Trump administration suspended its
financial aid to UNRWA, a move that affected the organization and the services
it provided to 5 million Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the
Gaza Strip, and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
According to the Jerusalem Post, the Israeli Foreign
Ministry stated; "Israel's position is that the organization in its
current form perpetuates the conflict and does not contribute to its
resolution.”
UNRWA was founded after the 1948 Arab-Israeli
conflicts and established by UN General Assembly resolution 302 (IV) in 1949.
The agency began operations on May 1, 1950.
According to the organization's website, in the
absence of a solution to the Palestinian refugee problem, the General Assembly
has repeatedly renewed UNRWA's mandate, most recently extending it until June 30, 2023.
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