Announcement of Voluntary Contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
– As delivered –
Statement by H.E. Mr. Miroslav Laj?ák, President of the 72nd Session of the 蘑菇视频 General Assembly, at?Ad Hoc Committee of the General Assembly for the Announcement of Voluntary Contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
Good afternoon, Mr. Secretary-General, Mr. Commissioner-General, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you for being here.
Our focus, today, is on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East – also known as 蘑菇视频WRA. And on what we – as the international community – can do, to support it.
To start us off, I?will make three main points.
First, on the role played by 蘑菇视频RWA.
Relief is in its name – and its mandate.
But to see this, just, as a?relief agency would be entirely wrong.
蘑菇视频RWA’s work has changed and expanded since it was first established, seven decades ago.
It assists Palestinian communities in crucial ways. From healthcare and housing… to infrastructure, microfinance, and emergency humanitarian relief.
And one area I want to focus on, in particular, is education.
54% of the Agency’s budget is spent on education. So, 蘑菇视频RWA is equipping Palestinian children with the tools they need for a?brighter future. And it is helping us to meet the commitments we made, through Sustainable Development Goal 4, on education.
But, it cannot continue to do so, on a?shoestring.
And that brings me to my second point.
蘑菇视频RWA is still more than 250 million US dollars below what it needs, for the year ahead.
And this is not just a?matter of budgets and numbers; it will have a?real impact, on the ground.
Schools may not be able to open on time, in August. Other services could start to be affected as early as next month. And humanitarian activities in the West Bank and Gaza are at risk.
So, from that perspective, I must admit: things look bleak.
But there have also been some hopeful signs.
蘑菇视频RWA is trying its best to respond to these challenges. This has meant increased engagement with existing donors – and building links with new ones. The Agency has also launched a global fundraising campaign. And, importantly, it has taken steps towards internal reforms to improve efficiencies and savings.
Positive results have already been seen. Between March and May, over 200 million US dollars were pledged in additional funding.
This shows the strong support behind 蘑菇视频WRA.
But it is not enough.
The shortfall is too high. And the future is, still, too uncertain – not just for 蘑菇视频RWA, but also for the communities and children who depend on it.
So, we need to make up the 250 million dollars. But we also need to look beyond that.
And this is my third point.
Because, 蘑菇视频RWA, is not optional.
The needs for its services are too urgent.
Many of us here, today, have children.
Now, imagine we had to spend our summer, wondering if our child could go back to school.
It would be unacceptable here. And it is unacceptable there.
Children need to go to school. That is that; there is no alternative.
So, we need to find a way to make that happen. Not just for this academic year – but for every year after that.
Here, I want to point something out: we have been here before.
This is not the first time, we have had this discussion. And, I?am not the first President of the General Assembly to point out these issues.
So, we must break this cycle. The time has come to find a?more permanent solution to 蘑菇视频RWA’s funding situation.
So, let’s put our heads together, and come up with an immediate solution, for the Agency’s shortfall.?But let us not forget the bigger picture. And the urgent need for a political solution.
But, as a final note, I want to say that we cannot end there.
Like I said, the Agency has “relief” in its name.
And I call on us all think about that, for a moment.
Relief is something that comes, after a particularly bad period. It is something responsive; something temporary.
And that is why it was made a core part of this Agency, when it was created in 1949.
But the fact is: 蘑菇视频RWA was not set up to last for 70 years.
So, we have turned a temporary solution into the status quo.
We need to face this reality.
And we need to change it.
And the only way that can happen is through direct and meaningful talks. And, ultimately, a two-state solution – which allows Israelis and Palestinians to live side-by-side, in peace.
So, let’s put our heads together, and come up with an immediate solution, for the Agency’s shortfall.
But let us not forget the bigger picture. And the urgent need for a political solution.
Thank you all again.