Qatar reaffirms its support for Palestinian people

Qatarhas reaffirmed its support to the United Nations Relief and WorksAgency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) saying it willcontinue to provide assistance to the Palestinian people.This camein Qatar’ statement delivered by Abdullah Salem al-Malki, member of thedelegation of Qatar participating in the 72nd session of the GeneralAssembly before the Fourth Committee of the United Nations GeneralAssembly on item 53: United Nations Relief and Works Agency forPalestine Refugees in the Near East.He said that UNRWA wasendeavouring to fulfil its mandate in view of the difficult humanitariansituation and difficulties faced by the Palestine refugees, noting thatQatar is at the forefront of countries that provide humanitariansupport to the Palestinian people.Qatar responded to the greathumanitarian needs by announcing a $1bn pledge at the Cairo Conferencefor the reconstruction of Gaza and has already completed housingprojects, public facilities and infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, andcontinues its constructive efforts.He also reiterated Qatar’ssupport for the signing of a reconciliation agreement between Fatah andHamas 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 theassistance it provides in accordance with its mandate under the relevantGeneral Assembly resolutions, he said, adding that UNRWA providesminimum necessary services to enable refugees to overcome thedifficulties they face, and to enjoy basic human rights, and an adequatestandard of living through the agency’s comprehensive activities in theareas of basic healthcare, basic and secondary education, food,shelter, and social services.Al-Malki said that provision of suchprotection and support structures is necessary in view of the challengesfaced by the Palestinian refugees in the absence of a just and lastingsolution to their plight and the continued occupation and siege imposedon Gaza.“There will remain a fundamental and indispensable need forUNRWA until a just and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinianquestion, the right of return of refugees in accordance withinternational law and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations, inparticular 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.Thisdifficult financial situation is seriously affecting the agency’soperational activities in all fields and the effectiveness of its coreservices as reflected in the agency’s annual report.In the contextof the humanitarian support provided by Qatar to the Palestinian people,last year, $1mn was provided for the budget of UNRWA in support of theagency’s activities and programmes, in particular with regard toeducation and the construction and rehabilitation of schools, al-Malkisaid.