21 August 2017

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA regrets the recourse by certain groups and institutions to personal attacks and unfounded allegations in expressing opposition to the Agency’s decision to suspend certain medical services at Qalqilya Hospital until the Agency completes its investigation into the death of a patient and related appraisal of the hospital operations and performance.

The decision to halt the intake of new patients for certain treatments at Qalqilia hospital is an Agency decision and personal attacks against the Agency’s West Bank Director of Operations and other staff are totally unacceptable. Uninterrupted access for Palestine refugees to Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA services, the continuity of these services and the safety and security of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA staff are paramount.

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA views with deep concern the irresponsible reference to “genocide” in describing actions taken to improve and strengthen services to Palestine refugees.
The Agency remains committed to delivering health and other services to Palestine refugees, in accordance with its mandate. Despite very challenging financial conditions Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA continues rendering effective and essential services to millions of Palestine refugees, including those residing in Qalqilya.

BACKGROÄ¢¹½ÊÓÆµD INFORMATION
Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA is confronted with an increased demand for services resulting from a growth in the number of registered Palestine refugees, the extent of their vulnerability and their deepening poverty. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions and financial support has been outpaced by the growth in needs. As a result, the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA Programme Budget, which supports the delivery of core essential services, operates with a large shortfall. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA encourages all Member States to work collectively to exert all possible efforts to fully fund the Agency¡¯s Programme Budget. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA emergency programmes and key projects, also operating with large shortfalls, are funded through separate funding portals.

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and mandated to provide assistance and protection to some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip achieve their full human development potential, pending a just and lasting solution to their plight. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, protection and microfinance.

For more information, please contact:
Christopher Gunness
Spokesperson, Director of Advocacy & Strategic Communications
Mobile:
+972 (0)54 240 2659
Office:
+972 (0)2 589 0267
c.gunness@unrwa.org
Sami Mshasha
Chief of Communications, Arabic Language Spokesperson
Mobile:
+972 (0)54 216 8295
Office:
+972 (0)2 589 0724
s.mshasha@unrwa.org