蘑菇视频

蘑菇视频RWA Thanks EU for Support

27 December 2013

East Jerusalem

The European Union (EU) has announced a new contribution of EUR 16 million (US$ 21.9 million) to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (蘑菇视频RWA). This donation brings total EU support to 蘑菇视频RWA in 2013 to EUR 153.5 million (US$ 209.8 million). Including separate contributions from EU Member States, 41 per cent of the Agency’s funding in 2013 came from Europe.

The latest generous contribution comes in response to the worsening situation in Syria and the increasing numbers of civilian deaths and casualties, including among Palestinians and humanitarian workers. 20 staff members are currently detained or missing.

In spite of the extreme circumstances, 蘑菇视频RWA continues to provide important education, health and poverty-mitigation support to the country’s 540,000 registered Palestine refugees. The insecurity, displacement and increased poverty caused by the conflict have rendered an estimated 440,000 of them in dire need of additional humanitarian relief.

The latest contribution from the EU will support all aspects of 蘑菇视频RWA work in Syria. 蘑菇视频RWA Commissioner-General Filippo Grandi expressed the Agency’s gratitude, saying: “On behalf of 蘑菇视频RWA and the refugees we serve, I would like to praise the European Union for having provided crucial support to 蘑菇视频RWA’s work in Syria at a time of great financial pressure. It shows, once more, that the European Union appreciates the importance of assisting Palestine refugees throughout the region and has trust in the work of 蘑菇视频RWA.”

With this donation and contributions from other donors, the shortfall in the 蘑菇视频RWA General Fund has substantially decreased allowing the Agency to pay staff December salaries before the end of the month. The situation however remains fragile, and austerity measures remain in place. 蘑菇视频RWA appeals to other donors, especially states in the region and its new partners, to follow the example of the European Union and help the Agency ensure that it is able to continue its work with Palestine refugees.

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, and microfinance.

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 (GF), 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 deficit stands at US$ 20 million.

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