Gaza _ Palestine News Network
The Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Refugees (UNRWA), Pierre Turnbull, announced on Thursday the start of the school season in all areas of UNRWA services on schedule.
According to the UNRWA statement, the decision was taken after an extraordinary meeting in Jordan of the UNRWA Advisory Commission.
Turnbull stressed the protection of the fundamental right to education and skills development for refugee students, stating that the decision had been taken despite the continuing major financial crisis affecting UNRWA.
He noted that there was an urgent need to provide US $217 million to meet the financial shortfall and to ensure the continuation of UNRWA services until the end of the current year, calling on all parties to work to provide the necessary support.
The Commissioner-General commended the donor countries that had made some financial contributions recently, calling on those states that had promised to contribute to fulfil their obligations as soon as possible.
Turnbull also called on other countries to provide additional funds in order to maintain the vital services of UNRWA, with serious concern for the Palestine refugees.
He stressed that UNRWA would take vigorous action to protect its financial situation, focusing on reform initiatives and efficiency determination.
At the end of the meeting, he stressed the deep commitment of UNRWA to the preservation of the dignity of the Palestine refugees and the provision of services to them.
