Investing in UNRWA is an investment in peace and hope

United Nations, Nov 16 (Prensa Latina) At a critical conference supporting the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the UN Secretary-General (UN) António Guterres on Tuesday outlined the essential role it continues to play in generations of lives.

November 16, 2021
17:33

We need urgent and decisive support to maintain UNRWA´s ability to operate this year, Guterres said in a video message addressed to a ministerial event held in Brussels.

UNRWA also plays a pivotal role in promoting regional stability, according to the UN chief, and yet, despite that UN Member States have agreed on its comprehensive mandate for decades, Mr. Guterres reminded that it continues to face an existential crisis.

“We need to protect UNRWA from being used as a political pawn – and focus on its ability to carry out its General Assembly mandate and its unrelenting commitment to humanitarian principles and shared UN values”, he underscored.

And, lacking sufficient funding, the UN agency also is being prevented from assisting Palestine refugees in a predictable way.

“These recurring funding crises have led UNRWA to introduce austerity measures. But these have reached their limits”, said the UN chief, stressing the need for “adequate resources, including human resources”.

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