Jordan, Kuwait, Slovenia launch initiative to provide political support to UNRWA at UN

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - Jordan, Kuwait and Slovenia on Wednesday announced they have launched a political initiative on the challenges faced by the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) that were previously noted by the Security Council in April.

Jordan's UN envoy Mahmoud Daifallah Hmoud noted "the numerous operational, political and financial challenges" that UNRWA faced especially in recent months.

Noting UNRWA's "vital role in providing life-saving humanitarian assistance and human development services to generations of Palestinian refugees in the occupied Palestinian territory" as well as in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, Hmoud told reporters that "it is important for countries to reaffirm their support for the work of the agency and its indispensable role in providing assistance and relief and send signals of strong political support for UNRWA."

He listed several aspects that would be addressed in the initiative, including "UNRWA's role in Gaza and for regional stability to its financial crisis, questions relating to the principles of neutrality, recognition of the tireless efforts of UNRWA's staff, the importance of cooperation with the agency and other aspects."

Expressing hopes to garner strong support for the initiative, he said the three countries would "address a letter to permanent representatives inviting them to join."

Palestine's UN envoy Riyad Mansour welcomed the initiative, saying that "the indispensable role UNRWA has played and continues to play is only possible with the international community's support for its general assembly mandate."

Emphasizing that UNRWA not only needs financial support but also political support, Mansour said the initiative is a "significant step.”

"We urge action to uphold UNRWA's mandate in all fields of operation in Gaza and the West Bank including East Jerusalem, and in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, to enable continued delivery of its core services, and life-saving aid that have for decades contributed to the welfare and development of Palestine Refugees," he added.

UNRWA has been facing Israeli pressure because of unproven allegations that some staffers were involved in October’s cross-border attack on Israel by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas.

The US and some of its Western allies initially suspended funding to UNRWA in January, but others such as the European Union, Canada and Sweden have since backtracked and plan to resume funding.

UNRWA was created by the UN General Assembly more than 70 years ago to assist Palestinians who were forcibly displaced from their land.

The agency provides crucial support to millions of Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and other areas where large numbers of registered Palestinians reside.