ALBAWABA - UNRWA's pledging conference in New York on Friday failed to provide the agency with the necessary funding to keep over 700 schools and 140 clinics open from September through December.
“As I address you today, I do not have the funds to keep our schools, health centers, and other services running as of September,” Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini told a pledging conference at UN Headquarters in New York.
At the beginning of the year, the UNRWA appealed for $1.6 billion in funding to secure its emergency programs and operations across all countries in which UNRWA has missions.
Lazzarini expressed gratitude for the pledges received by the UNRWA; nonetheless, the funding is insufficient to keep the UNRWA's activities running until the end of the year.
In a news conference on Thursday, Commissioner-General Lazzarini stated that the UNRWA requires a total of $200 million: $150 million to guarantee funding for all of their activities through the end of the year, and $50 million to begin the year 2024 without endangering the agency's operations.
“Let’s be clear: UNRWA is on the verge of financial collapse. The consequences of further budget cuts would be catastrophic,” Lazzarini warned.
Ahmad Abu Daqqa, a young Palestinian boy who attends a UNRWA boys' school in Gaza addressed the attendees at the pledging conference saying: “We, the students of the Gaza Strip, seek hope amidst despair,” “We only find it in education and learning, despite the numerous difficulties and obstacles we face, like living in a conflict and war zone.”
UNRWA was established by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949 to carry out direct relief and works programs for Palestine refugees. The Agency began operations on 1 May 1950.
