Qatar
has reaffirmed its support to the United Nations Relief and Works
Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) saying it will
continue to provide assistance to the Palestinian people.
This came
in Qatar’ statement delivered by Abdullah Salem al-Malki, member of the
delegation of Qatar participating in the 72nd session of the General
Assembly before the Fourth Committee of the United Nations General
Assembly on item 53: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for
Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
He said that UNRWA was
endeavouring to fulfil its mandate in view of the difficult humanitarian
situation and difficulties faced by the Palestine refugees, noting that
Qatar is at the forefront of countries that provide humanitarian
support to the Palestinian people.
Qatar responded to the great
humanitarian needs by announcing a $1bn pledge at the Cairo Conference
for the reconstruction of Gaza and has already completed housing
projects, public facilities and infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, and
continues its constructive efforts.
He also reiterated Qatar’s
support for the signing of a reconciliation agreement between Fatah and
Hamas and the Palestinian National Reconciliation Government (NCP)
taking over its duties in the Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian refugees,
numbering over 5mn, are indispensable for UNRWA’s vital role and the
assistance it provides in accordance with its mandate under the relevant
General Assembly resolutions, he said, adding that UNRWA provides
minimum necessary services to enable refugees to overcome the
difficulties they face, and to enjoy basic human rights, and an adequate
standard of living through the agency’s comprehensive activities in the
areas of basic healthcare, basic and secondary education, food,
shelter, and social services.
Al-Malki said that provision of such
protection and support structures is necessary in view of the challenges
faced by the Palestinian refugees in the absence of a just and lasting
solution to their plight and the continued occupation and siege imposed
on Gaza.
“There will remain a fundamental and indispensable need for
UNRWA until a just and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian
question, the right of return of refugees in accordance with
international law and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations, in
particular General Assembly resolution 194 of 1948.”, he said.
He also pointed to the vast funding gap affecting the agency’s programme budget, which is a chronic financial deficit.
This
difficult financial situation is seriously affecting the agency’s
operational activities in all fields and the effectiveness of its core
services as reflected in the agency’s annual report.
In the context
of the humanitarian support provided by Qatar to the Palestinian people,
last year, $1mn was provided for the budget of UNRWA in support of the
agency’s activities and programmes, in particular with regard to
education and the construction and rehabilitation of schools, al-Malki
said.
