The Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Pierre Krähenbühl said that "we will not be silent in the face of attempts to delegitimize and recognize the rights of refugees."
This came during its inauguration on Sunday, the school year in (169) UNRWA schools in Jordan, in conjunction with the start of the school year to provide services to nearly half a million Palestinian students in the five regions where the Agency operates.
The Agency reiterated its determination to continue providing relief and educational services in all five areas of its operations, stressing that the difficult circumstances and challenges will not deter it from continuing to support Palestinian refugees, and providing education to more than half a million students in Jordan, Gaza and the West Bank, including Jerusalem, Syria and Lebanon. .
Along with Krähenbühl, UNRWA´s Director of Operations in Jordan, Mohammad Edar, the opening of the school year was attended by the celebration of Al-Nuzha Female Elementary School I and II and Al-Nuzha Female Preparatory School in Amman.
The students presented artistic performances, expressing their deep thanks to the Agency, which has continued to provide education services to refugee children and has kept pace with the Palestinian Nakba since its inception.
"UNRWA will not surrender and will not stop serving the Palestinian people because they were based on UN resolutions.
"We started preparing for the academic year with the shortage of the boat (211) million dollars, and during July and August, we were able to reduce this deficit to 120 million dollars," he said. Donor. "
"The constant support of its partners and donors has enabled the Agency to once again implement its largest program," he said, stressing that access to education is a fundamental right and a pillar of the Agency´s mission. With the great determination of the communities.
Krambol expressed thanks and gratitude for the support received by the Agency from its generous partners, donors and host countries, which led to the achievement of this very positive and important achievement, noting that 43 countries have increased their financial contributions to avoid deficits.
“The education we provide in more than 700 schools in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, is more than the heart and soul of what UNRWA represents: investing in human capital and development.”
The UN official explained that UNRWA has taken important steps to prepare for the opening of schools throughout the summer. "We have rehabilitated many facilities," he said.
On renewing the agency´s mandate, the UN commissioner said, "The US decision to stop financial support has not only caused a financial crisis for the agency but also an existential crisis. It was accompanied by a fierce campaign against the agency that questioned its mandate, role, neutrality and impartiality. On the other hand, dozens of countries came to support the Agency and gave the Agency unprecedented political and diplomatic support and financial support, stressing that all the countries of the world realize that they have failed to find a political solution to the issue of Palestinian refugees, which makes the Agency a factor of stability and a component of human development. It is an agency that provides services only, but defends the rights of refugees and will not be silent against any attempts to delegitimize and recognize the rights of refugees. ”
He spoke of "efforts with Jordan, the Palestinian Authority and the United Nations to discuss new ideas for UNRWA´s sustainability."
