Naast al haar goede en noodzakelijke werk voor de vluchtelingen heeft UNRWA ook een politieke agenda: het steunt het zogenaamde 'recht op terugkeer' van de Palestijnse vluchtelingen en hun nakomelingen, en voert geen projecten uit die gericht zijn op permanente huisvesting van de vluchtelingen. In educatieve activiteiten van UNRWA komt dit ook tot uitdrukking.
UNRWA wordt bijna geheel door Palestijnen gerund, waaronder ook aanhangers van Hamas, en woordvoerders van UNRWA staan bekend om hun anti-Israelische uitspraken. Begrijpelijk misschien als je dagelijks in de vluchtelingenkampen werkt, maar daarmee diskwalificeert UNRWA zich als onpartijdige instantie die objectieve informatie geeft.
RP
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U.S. Government Contributes $55 million to UNRWA
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U.S. Government Contributes $55 million to UNRWA
RAMALLAH, June 10, 2009 (WAFA - PLO news agency)- The U.S Government made, at the bi-annual meeting in Amman of the Advisory Commission (AdCom) for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the U.S. Head of Delegation to the AdCom, Liana Brooks-Rubin announced, a contribution of $55.3 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)'s General Fund, bringing the total 2009 U.S. contribution to UNRWA to $154.5 million.
During her announcement, Brooks-Rubin commented that "The United States remains deeply concerned about the humanitarian conditions facing Palestinian refugees." She noted that "The United States is a strong supporter of UNRWA, the primary provider of health care, education, housing, and humanitarian assistance to 4.7 million Palestinian refugees in the Middle East. The assistance is a key factor contributing to stability in the region."
UNRWA Commissioner General Abu Zayd thanked the U.S. government for its $55 million contribution in response to its extraordinary appeal to donors this year saying, "we are immensely grateful to the United States government for its generous and prompt contribution. It is a fine example of the American commitment to supporting UNRWA and improving the daily lives of Palestine refugees throughout the region."
The American contribution to UNRWA's General Fund will allow the Agency to deliver health, education, and relief services to 4.7 million Palestinian refugees in the region. The $154.5 million that the U.S. has already contributed to UNRWA in 2009 includes $116 million for UNRWA's General Fund supporting Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria; and $38.5 million for UNRWA's 2009 West Bank and Gaza emergency activities.
Of the U.S. contribution, $195,000 will go towards educational field trips to the United States for UNRWA students in Gaza and another $250,000 to assist herding communities at risk of displacement in the West Bank. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of State approved a grant of $535,000 to support the reconstruction of the UNRWA Health Clinic in Jenin refugee camp.
The United States is UNRWA's largest bilateral donor. In 2008, the United States provided $184.7 million to UNRWA, including $99.9 million to its General Fund, and $84.8 million to its Emergency Appeals in the West Bank, Gaza, and Lebanon.
During her announcement, Brooks-Rubin commented that "The United States remains deeply concerned about the humanitarian conditions facing Palestinian refugees." She noted that "The United States is a strong supporter of UNRWA, the primary provider of health care, education, housing, and humanitarian assistance to 4.7 million Palestinian refugees in the Middle East. The assistance is a key factor contributing to stability in the region."
UNRWA Commissioner General Abu Zayd thanked the U.S. government for its $55 million contribution in response to its extraordinary appeal to donors this year saying, "we are immensely grateful to the United States government for its generous and prompt contribution. It is a fine example of the American commitment to supporting UNRWA and improving the daily lives of Palestine refugees throughout the region."
The American contribution to UNRWA's General Fund will allow the Agency to deliver health, education, and relief services to 4.7 million Palestinian refugees in the region. The $154.5 million that the U.S. has already contributed to UNRWA in 2009 includes $116 million for UNRWA's General Fund supporting Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria; and $38.5 million for UNRWA's 2009 West Bank and Gaza emergency activities.
Of the U.S. contribution, $195,000 will go towards educational field trips to the United States for UNRWA students in Gaza and another $250,000 to assist herding communities at risk of displacement in the West Bank. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of State approved a grant of $535,000 to support the reconstruction of the UNRWA Health Clinic in Jenin refugee camp.
The United States is UNRWA's largest bilateral donor. In 2008, the United States provided $184.7 million to UNRWA, including $99.9 million to its General Fund, and $84.8 million to its Emergency Appeals in the West Bank, Gaza, and Lebanon.
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