Australia and Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA sign USD 90 million agreement

29 May 2012
East Jerusalem

Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Bob Carr and Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA Commissioner-General Filippo Grandi signed a nearly USD 90 million partnership agreement in support of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA's core programmes throughout the Middle East over the course of the next five years.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Canberra, Grandi said, "Australia is a good example of a donor increasing its overall long-term contribution to Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA in a way that is sustainable and predictable. This agreement demonstrates the principles of good donorship and is an example that I hope will be replicated by others.

"The five-year agreement with Australia provides steadfast financial support in a difficult global economic climate. Australia's backing over the next years will help Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA provide education to refugee children throughout the region, as well as health and relief services."

Australia was the 10th largest donor to Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA in 2011, with an annual contribution to the Agency’s core programme of around USD 15 million. The new agreement will result in a progressive increase of this amount up to USD 20 million per year.

– Ends –

Background information:

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA 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. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.

For more information, please contact:

Christopher Gunness
Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA Spokesperson
Mobile: +972 (0)54 240 2659
Office: +972 (0)2 589 0267
c.gunness@unrwa.org

Sami Mshasha
Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA Arabic Spokesperson
Mobile: +972 (0)54 216 8295
Office: +972 (0)2 589 0724
s.mshasha@unrwa.org


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Document Type: Arabic text, Press Release
Document Sources: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA)
Country: Australia
Subject: Assistance, Refugees and displaced persons
Publication Date: 29/05/2012