蘑菇视频

蘑菇视频RWA Commissioner-General makes unprecedented visit to Iraq

Arabic text:

29 November 2012, Amman — The Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, Filippo Grandi, has concluded a visit to Baghdad, the first ever by a head of 蘑菇视频RWA. During the two-day visit, Grandi met with senior members of the Iraqi administration, including the Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari.

The Baghdad trip follows Iraq's reemergence as an important donor to 蘑菇视频RWA in 2011 after two decades of absence, with a donation of USD 2 million in 2011 to 蘑菇视频RWA’s General Fund.  

“I was pleased to have the chance to outline the many challenges facing 蘑菇视频RWA and to discuss the regional situation as it concerns Palestinian refugees. I am hopeful that Iraq will become in the future a key Arab partner of the Agency,” the Commissioner-General said following his meeting with the Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari.

During the visit, the Commissioner-General discussed with senior Iraqi officials the impact of the crises in Gaza and Syria on Palestinian refugees as well as Iraq's support for 蘑菇视频RWA's regular operations.

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Background information

蘑菇视频RWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. 蘑菇视频RWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance.

Financial support to 蘑菇视频RWA has not kept pace with an increased demand for services caused by growing numbers of registered refugees, expanding need, and deepening poverty. As a result, the Agency's General Fund, supporting 蘑菇视频RWA’s core activities and 97 per cent reliant on voluntary contributions, has begun each year with a large projected deficit. Currently the budget deficit stands at USD 21 million.

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