(Photo by Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times ) United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini briefs reporters on budget shortfall at press conference at UN world headquarters in New York June 24, 2022.
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
UNITED NATIONS – NEW YORK – A $100 million shortfall of the budget of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) threatens education, health and food assistance, to millions of Palestinians across the Middle East. That was the dire warning given by UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini Friday at a press conference with journalists at UN world headquarter in New York. UNRWA provides humanitarian and human development services to the refugees of Palestine in the Gaza strip. Lazzarini said budget shortfalls pose a serious threat to its ability to maintain operations. Lazzarini said UNRWA is appealing to international donors to help his organization fund its $1.6 billion budget for 2022. It is estimated that 2.3 million Palestinian refugees are living in poverty, and the COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten health and livelihoods. He said that the Palestinian people will be at risk in the next few months if the funding gap is not filled. Lazzarini said UNRWA operations can be continued through September 2022 amid the budget shortfall but beyond that it uncertainty. Food, education and health aid to Gaza consumes more than $100 million of the $1.6 billion annual budget. The organization was formed by the UN in 1949, helps Palestinians in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem.
“The international community recognizes the lifesaving role of UNRWA and its indispensable contribution to stability in the Middle East. It also recognizes how cost-efficient and agile UNRWA is. In 2022, that recognition must be supported by the adequate level of funding to meet this critical moment for Palestine refugees.”
-UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini
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(Photo by Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times ) United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini briefs reporters on budget shortfall at press conference at UN world headquarters in New York June 24, 2022
ARAB World “Significantly” Reduced Its Contributions to UNRWA: Lazzarini
(Photo by Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times ) United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini briefs reporters on budget shortfall at press conference at UN world headquarters in New York June 24, 2022.
Lazzarini noted that over the past few years, the Arab world has “significantly” reduced its contributions to UNRWA to about 1 percent of its budget. He said he would like to see Arab nations contribute up to 7 percent of the UNRWA budget in the next year. “UNRWA is perceived by the Palestinian people as the lifeline for Palestinian refugees,” Lazzarini stated.
TRUMP Administration Ceased U.S. Funding of UNRWA, creating crisis of uncertainty
In 2018, the United States, under the Trump administration, ceased funding of UNRWA after decades of being the Agency’s single largest donor and strong partner. The U.S. move plunged the UNRWA into a crisis of uncertainty regarding its future. The U.S. funded approximately $360 million annually to UNRWA before Trump ended the assistance. Lazzarini called on UN nations to step up funding of UNRWA to prevent its financial collapse and put Palestinian refugees at risk.
“The international community must give UNRWA sufficient and predictable funding so we may continue to provide Palestine refugees with a sense of security and normality they deserve.”
– UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini
