UNRWA will not allow any attempt to delegitimize it and will continue to provide services to Palestinian refugees, the UN´s chief of staff said on Thursday.
During a press conference in Gaza, Cranebol refused to link the issue of increasing the number of refugees with UNRWA. Stating that it had received the support of the majority of the members of the Security Council.
"We send an important message to the international community and refugees that we will continue our services as mandated by the General Assembly," he said.
He stressed that these services will continue to be provided to the refugees until a fair solution to their cause. Calling on the international community to stand by UNRWA in order to preserve the dignity of the refugees.
He explained that UNRWA was going through a major financial crisis, yet schools would remain open to hundreds of thousands of students. Pointing out that the international community does not show any interest in what is happening in Gaza.
"Despite funding problems, we have decided to increase the budget of the health department to meet the high needs in this area," he said. Pointing out that UNRWA has returned 500 employees to work in the past period.
Cranebol said that UNRWA had adopted a new strategy to bring financial support so that it could continue its services. Especially that the deficit reached 200 million dollars, and expressed the hope to overcome this crisis after it helped 42 countries last year to overcome the previous financial crisis.
He explained that UNRWA was currently in contact with donor countries to continue supporting refugees in Gaza. Pointing out that the level of poverty rose in the sector, especially among the refugees.
