{"id":122665,"date":"2017-11-06T15:07:55","date_gmt":"2017-11-06T15:07:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?post_type=document&p=122665"},"modified":"2021-11-11T13:36:19","modified_gmt":"2021-11-11T18:36:19","slug":"epic-humanitarian-crisis-looms-should-palestine-refugee-agency-be-compelled-to-scale-back-services-delegates-warn-as-fourth-committee-debate-continues-gaspd654","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/epic-humanitarian-crisis-looms-should-palestine-refugee-agency-be-compelled-to-scale-back-services-delegates-warn-as-fourth-committee-debate-continues-gaspd654\/","title":{"rendered":"“Epic” Humanitarian Crisis Looms Should Palestine Refugee Agency Be Compelled to Scale Back Services, Delegates Warn as Fourth Committee Debate Continues (GA\/SPD\/654)"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n

FOURTH COMMITTEE<\/strong>
\nSEVENTY-SECOND SESSION,\u00a025TH MEETING (AM)<\/strong>
\nGA\/SPD\/654<\/strong>
\n6 NOVEMBER 2017<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n

fran\u00e7ais<\/a><\/p>\n

Urging broader support for new financing mechanisms, delegates warned today of a humanitarian crisis should the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA) be forced to scale back services because of a financing deficit, as the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) concluded its general debate on that Agency\u2019s work.<\/p>\n

Turkey\u2019s representative recalled the broad consultation process that had animated discussions on ensuring predictable, sufficient and sustainable funding for the Agency.\u00a0 If implemented by each relevant stakeholder, the recommendations could ensure continuity for Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s services and end its recurrent and severe financing shortfalls.\u00a0 Welcoming the establishment of new funding mechanisms in partnership with international financial institutions, he said Turkey had dedicated $100,000 towards efforts to materialize those new streams.\u00a0 While other members of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) had also taken steps in that regard, support from the broader United Nations membership would be vital to realizing concrete results on that track, he added.<\/p>\n

Echoing the concerns about Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019S financing, Sri Lanka\u2019s representative cautioned that, if underfunded or without reserves, the Agency would be overtaken by a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions that would threaten its good works and services.\u00a0 Moreover, the ongoing violence in Syria had created large-scale movements of people, further complicating the Agency\u2019s work and placing an added burden on its depleted finances.<\/p>\n

Syria\u2019s representative stressed that no effort would be spared to protect Palestine refugees within his country\u2019s territory, despite attacks committed by armed terrorist groups against them and against Syrians.\u00a0 Recalling that Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA had repeatedly stated its inability to provide assistance to the Yarmouk refugee camp due to the actions of armed terrorists, he stressed that those committing them were the same groups targeting Palestinians with a view to eliminating their right to return to their homeland.\u00a0 He rejected the option of cancelling Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA services despite the unique pressures exerted on the countries hosting the Agency\u2019s operations.<\/p>\n

Lebanon\u2019s representative said his country hosted more than 400,000\u00a0Palestinian refugees, many of whom faced economic, social, environmental and security challenges.\u00a0 However, the Agency\u2019s role had been jeopardized in recent years by its recurring financial deficit, coupled with the growing Palestine refugee population.\u00a0 Israel\u2019s actions in the occupied territories had exacerbated the situation, negatively affecting the quality of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s services to hundreds of thousands of Palestine refugees, he noted.<\/p>\n

Israel\u2019s representative emphasized that it was unacceptable for a United Nations agency actively to support the agenda of one side of a conflict, saying Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA had again failed to uphold the standard of balanced reporting and neutrality during the current reporting period.\u00a0 Although Hamas played a destructive role in the Gaza Strip, the Agency\u2019s latest report hardly mentioned the group, he noted.\u00a0 As for the refugee question, he said it had not yet been agreed, stressing that it could only be resolved as part of a bilateral negotiation between the Israeli and Palestinian sides.<\/p>\n

In that context, the Permanent Observer for the Holy See expressed grave concern over recent attempts to move away from a two\u2011State solution, cautioning that inflammatory rhetoric and straying from the Madrid and Oslo Accords had increased the Palestinian people\u2019s desperation.\u00a0 Resolving the Palestinian question would have a beneficial cascading effect on other crises in the region, thus allowing Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA to enjoy a well-deserved retirement, he said.<\/p>\n

Cuba\u2019s representative emphasized that Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA must be funded from the regular United Nations budget, rejecting the actions of certain States that had threatened to withdraw their support for purely political reasons.\u00a0 The Agency\u2019s basic programmes must be protected until the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was resolved, he stressed, saying Cuba would continue to support a comprehensive settlement based on a two\u2011State solution.<\/p>\n

Other speakers today included representatives of Namibia, Egypt, Bangladesh, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Australia, Maldives, Norway, South Africa, Venezuela, Iraq, Brazil, Malaysia, Kuwait, Algeria, Ecuador, Tunisia, Russian Federation, United Arab Emirates, China and Indonesia.<\/p>\n

The Commissioner-General of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA delivered concluding remarks.<\/p>\n

The Fourth Committee will reconvene at 10\u00a0a.m. on Tuesday, 7\u00a0November, to begin its general debate on Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the occupied territories.<\/p>\n

General Debate<\/u><\/p>\n

NEVILLE MELVIN GERTZE (Namibia<\/u>) said his country recognized the significant steps taken by the Commissioner-General and United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA) to strengthen financial control and budgetary regulation.\u00a0 However, the Agency\u2019s programme budget still had a $126.5\u00a0million shortfall amounting to two months of operational costs.\u00a0 Over the past two years, funding had not kept pace with the number of refugees, he noted, stressing that Palestine refugees were expected to number 6.4\u00a0million by 2020.\u00a0 Today, 5.3\u00a0million Palestinians comprised one quarter of refugees around the world, he said, calling upon Israel to cease all settlement construction in the occupied territories and to stop destroying Palestinian homes and infrastructure.<\/p>\n

MOÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵZER MOÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵZER (Syria<\/u>), associating himself with the Non\u2011Aligned Movement, said more than 5\u00a0million Palestine refugees had been forcibly displaced from their homeland by the racist, settler Israeli occupation, in violation of their most basic rights.\u00a0 In spite of the targeting of its workers and facilities, however, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA continued to play an important role, adding that the countries hosting it were also donors assisting the Agency and thereby enduring unique pressures.\u00a0 As such, Syria provided assistance to the refugees, treating them like Syrians without any distinction, he said, recalling that the Commissioner-General had been informed of that during his visit to Damascus.\u00a0 No effort would be spared to protect Palestine refugees on Syrian territory, despite the attacks committed by armed terrorist groups against them and against Syrians, he emphasized.<\/p>\n

He went on to recall that the Yarmouk refugee camp, invaded by Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL\/Da\u2019esh) and others, had been besieged, with its inhabitants used as human shields and denied humanitarian aid.\u00a0 On 26\u00a0August, terrorists had prevented secondary school students from travelling to Damascus to write exams, he said, adding that they had continued to prevent all students from attending school since September.\u00a0 Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA had repeatedly stated its inability to provide Yarmouk with assistance due to the actions of armed terrorists, he said, stressing that those committing them were the same groups targeting Palestinians with a view to eliminating their right to return to their homeland.\u00a0 He underlined the importance of donors providing assistance to Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA in a predictable manner, rejecting the option of cancelling services to Palestine refugees, which would constitute a violation of international law.<\/p>\n

AHMED ELSHANDAWILY (Egypt<\/u>) stressed the importance of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s education services for Palestine refugees, emphasizing that it was free from radical ideologies seeking to poison young minds.\u00a0 He also pointed to the Agency\u2019s continuing financial crisis, saying it warranted the international community\u2019s full attention, as funding challenges continued to impede its ability to discharge its mandate and responsibilities towards refugees.\u00a0 That obstacle had been exacerbated by severe conditions in the Middle East.\u00a0 As hosting States struggled with burdens exceeding the Agency\u2019s budget several times over, it was impossible to expect them to incur additional responsibilities, he said.<\/p>\n

HUMBERTO RIVERO ROSARIO (Cuba<\/u>), associating himself with the Non\u2011Aligned Movement, noted that Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA had been able to provide human development services and humanitarian relief with speed and efficiency despite the operational shortfall.\u00a0 However, Cuba was concerned about the Agency\u2019s critical financial situation, he said, emphasizing that it must be able to maintain its financial allocation.\u00a0 Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA must be funded from the regular United Nations budget, he said, rejecting the actions of certain States that did not support the funding allocation and had threatened to withdraw their support for purely political reasons.\u00a0 The Agency\u2019s basic needs programmes must be protected until the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was resolved, he stressed, saying Cuba would continue to support a comprehensive settlement on the basis of a two\u2011State solution.<\/p>\n

TAREQ MD ARIFUL ISLAM (Bangladesh<\/u>), associating himself with the Non\u2011Aligned Movement, emphasized the importance of strengthening the Agency\u2019s capacity to fulfil its humanitarian and human development mandates.\u00a0 Expressing concern about the safety of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s staff, he noted that 30\u00a0personnel had been killed and 26 were missing.\u00a0 There could be no justification for the killing and abduction of United Nations staff, or for the wanton destruction of emergency shelters, homes, schools and civilian infrastructure, he stressed.\u00a0 Noting that the shortfall in Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s regular programme budget had risen to $126\u00a0million, he said the dire situation had forced the Agency to take a loan for the first time in its history.\u00a0 Recalling the influx of hundreds of thousands of forcibly displaced Rohingya from Myanmar into Bangladesh, he reaffirmed his country\u2019s solidarity with Palestine refugees around the world.<\/p>\n

OLIVIER MARC ZEHNDER (Switzerland<\/u>) expressed concern about the Palestine refugees who continued to face a protection crisis.\u00a0 Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA provided 5.3\u00a0million Palestine refugees with services and protection, but the Agency continued to face a significant funding shortfall.\u00a0 Thus, he called for the swift implementation of the Secretary-General\u2019s recommendations to ensure a stable funding base for the duration of its mandate.\u00a0 For its part, Switzerland would help to fund the Agency\u2019s resource mobilization strategy and programme budget.\u00a0 Switzerland would also undertake a multiyear contribution to ensure the Agency would have greater flexibility to carry out its mandate.<\/p>\n

SHAHIR ALKHANINY (Saudi Arabia<\/u>) said his country was one of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s main donors, having provided more than $51\u00a0million in 2017 towards a number of projects in health, education and other sectors.\u00a0 It had also pledged $37\u00a0million towards projects planned for 2018 and had been an active member of the Agency\u2019s Advisory Commission since 2005.\u00a0 However, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA was still facing a financial shortfall, he said, noting that it faced an even graver situation than that of 2016.\u00a0 In that regard, Saudi Arabia welcomed the recommendations emanating from the Advisory Commission\u2019s consultations, he said, adding that he looked forward to the adoption of a General Assembly resolution on predictable and sustained financing for Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA from the regular United Nations budget.\u00a0 There had been wide support for that text, exemplifying the commitment of Member States to relieving the plight of Palestine refugees, he said.\u00a0 Saudi Arabia renewed its call for the international community to provide Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA with support, and for donors to redouble their efforts so the Agency could finance its programmes and the influx of Palestine refugees, he said.\u00a0 Moreover, the root causes of the crisis must be addressed and the Israeli occupation of Palestinian and all other occupied Arab territories ended.<\/p>\n

HASSAN ABBAS (Lebanon<\/u>) said Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA had played a stabilizing role for more than 5.3\u00a0million Palestine refugees by providing education and health-care services.\u00a0 Nevertheless, the Agency\u2019s role had been jeopardized in recent years by its recurring financial deficit, coupled with the growing Palestine refugee population.\u00a0 The situation had been exacerbated by Israel\u2019s actions in the occupied territories, which had negatively impacted the quality of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s services to hundreds of thousands of Palestine refugees, he noted.<\/p>\n

He went on to note that Lebanon was the host to more than 400,000\u00a0Palestine refugees, many of whom faced economic, social, environmental and security challenges.\u00a0 Despite its limited capabilities, the country had taken measures to alleviate some of those challenges, he said, recalling that in June\u00a02005, the Ministry of Labour had granted Palestine refugees access to some 70\u00a0professions previously reserved for Lebanese nationals.\u00a0 Furthermore, Parliament had adopted a law granting additional rights to Palestinian workers in the country, he added.<\/p>\n

SONALI SAMARASINGHE (Sri Lanka<\/u>), associating herself with the Non\u2011Aligned Movement, emphasized that Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s maintenance of schools and education infrastructure in the occupied territories was crucial in ensuring that children and youth turned away from violence and in inspiring them to hope for the future.\u00a0 Half a million students were enrolled in the Agency\u2019s 702\u00a0schools, which had achieved full gender balance as well as one of the highest literacy rates in the Middle East.\u00a0 The ongoing violence in Syria had created large-scale movements of people, further complicating the Agency\u2019s work, she said, adding that it had placed an added burden on Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s depleted finances.\u00a0 As such, the principle of non\u2011refoulement must be honoured in relation to Palestine refugees fleeing the conflict, she said, emphasizing that, in accordance with international law, there must be no discrimination against them.\u00a0 Sri Lanka was deeply concerned about Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s precarious financial situation, she said, cautioning that the Agency, if underfunded or without reserves, would be overtaken by a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions that would threaten its good works and services.\u00a0 The lack of funding and consequent drawing down or hindrance of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s work would pose a serious threat to international peace and security in an area of volatility and conflict, she warned.<\/p>\n

KAZUFUMI AOKI (Japan<\/u>) stressed that the financial crisis affecting Palestine refugees must not be forgotten, although conflicts and humanitarian needs in the Middle East had grown.\u00a0 Japan was a staunch supporter of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s efforts and recognized the difficulties of its unpredictable funding.\u00a0 However, he urged the Agency to operate within the boundaries of voluntary contributions by United Nations donors, emphasizing that Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA must continue its outreach work to potential donors, including private ones like the Palestinian diaspora, for example.<\/p>\n

DAVID YARDLEY (Australia<\/u>) said his country supported continued efforts to pursue alternative funding and broaden Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s donor base.\u00a0 Noting that the draft resolution on a potential future funding model had been withdrawn in July, he said he did not believe that seeking assessed contributions from the regular United Nations budget was a sustainable funding option for the Agency.\u00a0 Emphasizing the critical importance of neutrality to Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s operations, he said the discovery of tunnels under its schools illustrated the need for continued vigilance on the Agency\u2019s part.\u00a0 Australia was committed to a lasting political settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a two\u2011State solution within internationally recognized borders, he reiterated.<\/p>\n

BENJAMIN KRASNA (Israel<\/u>) said Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA often chose to promote a controversial political agenda instead of focusing on relief and humanitarian assistance.\u00a0 That was the case with its proactive campaigns in support of the so\u2011called right of return for millions of Palestinians.\u00a0 Noting that the refugee question had not yet been agreed, he emphasized that it could only be resolved as part of a bilateral negotiation between the parties.\u00a0 It was unacceptable for a United Nations agency to actively support the agenda of one side of a conflict, he emphasized, noting that Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA had again failed to uphold the standard of balanced reporting and neutrality during the current reporting period.\u00a0 Israel demanded impartial, frequent and thorough reporting of realities on the ground, he stressed.<\/p>\n

He went on to point out that although Hamas played a destructive role in Gaza, it was barely mentioned in the Agency\u2019s report.\u00a0 He recalled the recent discovery of a tunnel beneath an Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA school, warning that such activities placed the school, Agency workers as well as children in great danger.\u00a0 He asked Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA what steps were being taken proactively to ensure that tunnels were not dug under other Agency facilities in the Gaza Strip and elsewhere.\u00a0 Also, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s employment of active Hamas members must be condemned, he said, adding that the group continued to arm itself and to call for Israel\u2019s destruction.<\/p>\n

While Hamas was doing everything to hinder reconstruction, Israel was working with Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA and the international community to support rebuilding efforts in Gaza, he said.\u00a0 Too often, humanitarian shipments had been used in the smuggling of illicit materials for Hamas and other terror groups.\u00a0 Despite such challenges, however, Israel had been facilitating the enclave\u2019s reconstruction, including through the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism, thereby enabling the shipment of more than 8\u00a0million tons of building materials, he said, voicing dismay that the latest report scarcely mentioned the extensive cooperation between Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA and the Government of Israel.<\/p>\n

ALI NASEER MOHAMED (Maldives<\/u>) said Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA had become indispensable in protecting the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people by providing them with humanitarian assistance.\u00a0 Because financing uncertainty challenged the Agency\u2019s ability to deliver to people in need, it was crucial to ensure predictable, sustainable and sufficient funding.\u00a0 In violation of the Geneva Conventions, the occupying Power had hindered the Agency\u2019s efforts to deliver emergency humanitarian aid, he noted, raising concern about the increase in forced displacement in the West Bank.\u00a0 Israel should end its unlawful settlement activities and the illegal occupation, he said.<\/p>\n

TORE HATTREM (Norway<\/u>), urging Israelis and Palestinians to resume credible negotiations towards peace, affirmed that protecting the rights of Palestine refugees was crucial to that effort.\u00a0 Commending Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s work in that regard, he also recognized the key support role played by host countries.\u00a0 He expressed concern, however, over the Agency\u2019s financial situation and hope that the Secretary-General\u2019s follow-up report would help remediate the problem.\u00a0 Endorsing the recommendation to increase assessed contributions, he called for exploring ways to provide more support from the regular United Nations budget for costs beyond international staffing.\u00a0 Acknowledging Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s need to constantly adapt to the region\u2019s changing reality, he welcomed the priority of supporting the most vulnerable refugees.\u00a0 He also recognized efforts to expand the donor base, reaffirming Norway\u2019s commitment to support Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA in delivering core services in all five fields of operations.<\/p>\n

WOUTER HOFMEYR ZAAYMAN (South Africa<\/u>), paying tribute to Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA, said the continued poverty and suppression of Palestine refugees with no end in sight made its work even more urgent.\u00a0 There was an obligation for Member States to ensure that the humanitarian needs of Palestine refugees were met.\u00a0 Affirming the need for a just political settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, he called for an end to Israel\u2019s settlement activity \u2014 saying it obstructed the peace process \u2014 the lifting of the Gaza blockade, and the bridging of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s financial gap.\u00a0 South Africa would continue to support the Agency, in addition to supporting Palestinians through other mechanisms, he confirmed, while endorsing the Secretary-General\u2019s recommendations to ensure sufficient, sustainable and predictable funding.\u00a0 South Africa would also work through the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) to ensure a larger allocation from the regular United Nations budget, and seek additional funding through financial institutions, he pledged.<\/p>\n

DOUGLAS NICOMEDES ARCIA VIVAS (Venezuela<\/u>), said it was vital that Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA received the support it needed to deal with the deteriorating situation of Palestine refugees.\u00a0 The Israeli occupation had exacerbated their living conditions, thereby increasing their need for basic services provided by the Agency.\u00a0 The occupying Power had also prevented development on Palestinian land, further condemning the Palestinian population to poverty and reliance on outside support, he noted.\u00a0 Those humanitarian problems were inevitably linked to the outstanding need for a political solution, he said, emphasizing that without a just and lasting resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, everything else, including Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s efforts, was just a palliative.\u00a0 Venezuela rejected the construction of Israeli settlements, including in East Jerusalem, which only contributed to growing refugee numbers, he said, adding that the blockade constituted a clear violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.\u00a0 Despite the situation, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA had adopted financial reforms and continued to provide efficient service, he said, expressing indignation over its continuing budget problems.\u00a0 How could the occupying Power ask the Agency for neutrality when its own actions were in violation of international law?\u00a0 He called upon the international community to support, without conditions, the draft resolution on guaranteeing a budget for the functioning of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA.<\/p>\n

AHMED N. AL-SAHHAF (Iraq<\/u>), associating himself with the Non\u2011Aligned Movement, expressed his delegation\u2019s strong support for predictable Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA funding.\u00a0 At a time of unprecedented violence and suffering in the region, Iraq commended the Commissioner-General\u2019s tireless efforts to focus on developing the local economy and the means for Palestine refugees to enjoy a dignified life through partnership with other organizations.\u00a0 As for the Agency\u2019s ongoing financial crisis, he said it would threaten Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s ability to provide services to refugees, thus increasing the level of insecurity experienced by an already fragile population.\u00a0 Member States must take the necessary measures to bring stability to Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA through voluntary financing, expansion of the donor base, and allocations from the regular United Nations budget, he said.\u00a0 In closing, he emphasized the importance of a just and lasting political solution to the question of Palestine, saying his country was ready to participate constructively in efforts to support the Agency and the vulnerable population it served.<\/p>\n

MAURO VIEIRA (Brazil<\/u>) said that, as a member of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s Advisory Committee, his country fully supported its activities.\u00a0 Besides providing basic services, the Agency generated employment and offered microfinance to refugee communities, thereby fostering local economic development and promoting stability in a volatile region.\u00a0 Regarding the Agency\u2019s budgetary crisis, he reiterated Brazil\u2019s proposal to have Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s budget absorbed by the regular United Nations budget, emphasizing the need for frequent, predictable and non\u2011earmarked financing for the Agency.\u00a0 To that end, Brazil had increased its voluntary financial contributions and regular food assistance to Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA, he said, emphasizing that, without progress towards a just and lasting resolution of the question of Palestine, the crisis would continue.<\/p>\n

NUR ASHIKIN MOHD TAIB (Malaysia<\/u>) said the flagrant violations committed by Israel in the West Bank and Gaza had made it challenging for Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA to fulfil its duties.\u00a0 Moreover, the restrictions imposed by Israel were inconsistent with the United Nations Charter and the 1946\u00a0Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations and relevant resolutions, she said, calling for the removal of restrictions placed on the movement of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA staff and goods.\u00a0 Malaysia hoped the Secretary-General would ensure that the Agency enjoyed predictable and sustained funding, he said, adding that, for its own part, his country had just disbursed a contribution of $120,000 to the Agency.<\/p>\n

Mr. AL SABAH (Kuwait<\/u>), associating himself with the Non\u2011Aligned Movement, recognized Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s support for more than 5.3\u00a0million Palestine refugees while noting the primary responsibility of Israel, the occupying Power, for that situation.\u00a0 Kuwait had always supported the Agency\u2019s activities and had made contributions in excess of $162\u00a0million, he noted, recalling that during the 2016\u00a0Pledging Conference, his country had pledged $5\u00a0million, in addition to making an emergency contribution of $15\u00a0million to enable 500,000\u00a0Palestinian students to continue their studies.\u00a0 Moreover, Kuwait had dedicated $50\u00a0million to support Palestine refugees in Syria through pledging conferences held inside the country over the years.\u00a0 The country had also provided $34\u00a0million to support Palestinians in Gaza after the occupying Power had destroyed schools in the enclave.\u00a0 Emphasizing the right of Palestine refugees to return, and their right to regain their dignity, he expressed his delegation\u2019s solidarity with the Palestinian people.<\/p>\n

YI\u011eIT CANAY (Turkey<\/u>) recalled that 2017 had been an important year in terms of mobilizing diplomatic and political support for Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA.\u00a0 The broad consultation process, mandated by the General Assembly and carried out by Switzerland and Turkey, had animated discussions on ensuring predictable, sufficient and sustainable financing for the Agency.\u00a0 If implemented by each relevant stakeholder, the recommendations could ensure the continuity of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s services and end its recurrent and severe financial shortfalls, which continued to affect its programmes.\u00a0 However, \u201cthe decades-old despair, uncertainty and anxiety in the Palestine refugee community are not easy to overcome,\u201d he cautioned.\u00a0 As such, Palestinian reconciliation was an important element of a lasting peace, he said, calling upon the international community to respond to that step.<\/p>\n

He went on to state that the Palestinian people deserved a strong confirmation of the two\u2011State vision as well as genuine efforts to end the protracted humanitarian crisis in Gaza.\u00a0 In terms of stabilizing Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s financial situation, he acknowledged the establishment of new funding mechanisms with international financial institutions including the World Bank and the Islamic Development Bank.\u00a0 Turkey, for its part, in addition to its increased support for the Agency, had dedicated $100,000 solely towards efforts to materialize those new streams.\u00a0 While other members of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) had also taken steps in accordance with commitments made in Abidjan, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, in July, support from the broader membership would be vital to realizing concrete results on that track, he said.<\/p>\n

IDRISS BOUASSILA (Algeria<\/u>), associating himself with the Non\u2011Aligned Movement, said Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s role in helping to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people made it incumbent upon the international community to fulfil its responsibility to provide a solution to the Agency\u2019s critical funding issues, especially in the face of the deteriorating circumstances of the Palestine refugee population.\u00a0 Denouncing Israel\u2019s restrictions on the movement of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA staff, especially in East Jerusalem, he said they compounded the difficulties for Palestine refugees.\u00a0 A lasting solution to the situation must be a political one, he said, emphasizing that the international community must help to find a solution to the protracted humanitarian crisis.<\/p>\n

MARIO A. ZAMBRANO ORTIZ (Ecuador<\/u>), associating himself with the Non\u2011Aligned Movement, said that, on the eve of the anniversary of the United Nations mandate for Palestine, it was important to consider the Organization\u2019s role in conflicts like the one in that territory.\u00a0 In a complex situation, Ecuador recognized the importance of the services provided by Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA, he said, appealing to States that were financially able to increase their voluntary contributions to do so.<\/p>\n

MOHAMED KHALED KHIARI (Tunisia<\/u>), associating himself with the Non\u2011Aligned Movement, expressed concern over the recurring funding shortfalls which undermined Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s efforts to promote human development and meet the basic needs of Palestine refugees.\u00a0 Tunisia welcomed collective efforts, as well as the Secretary-General\u2019s call to explore all potential means to ensure sufficient, predictable and sustained funding for the Agency, he said, also commending efforts by the OIC, World Bank, Islamic Development Bank and other stakeholders.\u00a0 He reiterated his delegation\u2019s call for the international community to urge Israel to take the necessary steps to build confidence with the Palestinians through, among other actions, the immediate and complete cessation of all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, in accordance with international law and relevant resolutions.<\/p>\n

ANDREY A. LISTOV (Russian Federation<\/u>) said his country had contributed $10\u00a0million to Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s budget for the period 2016\u20112021, which would help to provide predictable financing in accordance with the Secretary-General\u2019s call upon Member States.\u00a0 The Russian Federation supported increasing the predictability of the Agency\u2019s financing and, as such, had been prepared to consider assistance for Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA through the regular United Nations budget.\u00a0 The Russian Federation was also providing direct humanitarian assistance to Palestine refugees, as well as grants for higher education, he said.\u00a0 The conflict in Syria had led Palestine refugees to suffer \u201cdouble deprivation\u201d and it was difficult to imagine the fate of the Yarmouk camp residents without the Agency\u2019s assistance.\u00a0 In Lebanon, the refugee camps were often controlled by armed groups, a situation exacerbated by the fact that refugees in that country had been joined by refugees from Syria.\u00a0 Rebuilding vital infrastructure in the Syrian territory liberated from terrorists would be important in that regard, he said.<\/p>\n

MAISOON AL-DAH (United Arab Emirates<\/u>), endorsing the statement by the Non\u2011Aligned Movement, said she was greatly concerned about the deteriorating conditions of Palestine refugees, as outlined in the Secretary-General\u2019s report.\u00a0 Israel\u2019s continuing occupation, restriction of movement and demolition of Palestinian properties only increased Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s burden, she said, adding that its financial crisis would prevent it from providing basic services to 5\u00a0million refugees in the region.\u00a0 In order to solve the financial gap, it would be necessary to implement the recommendations contained in the Secretary-General\u2019s report, she said, emphasizing that, as one of the Agency\u2019s main donors, her country was committed to continue its efforts to bridge Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵWRA\u2019s funding gap, which had grown after the United States had reduced its contribution.<\/p>\n

CHENG LIE (China<\/u>) said the crisis in Syria and other areas continued to spill over, exacerbating the humanitarian situation in Palestine.\u00a0 Calling on all parties to alleviate pressures on host countries, he urged lifting of the continuing blockade of the Gaza Strip.\u00a0 Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA had made vital contributions to the Palestine refugee population, and had advanced regional peace and stability by preventing the spread of terrorist ideology, he noted.\u00a0 China had been making contributions to the Agency for more than 30\u00a0years, and would continue to support it, he emphasized.\u00a0 However, only by realizing peace between Israel and Palestine could a lasting solution be found.<\/p>\n

INA HAGNININGTYAS KRISNAMURTHI (Indonesia<\/u>), associating herself with the Non\u2011Aligned Movement, said that, given the sad and desperate situation of the Palestine refugees, the critical lack of funding for Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA was of great concern.\u00a0 Reiterating her delegation\u2019s position that the United Nations must ensure predictable funding for the Agency, she deplored the failure to approve the proposals on Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA funding.\u00a0 Indonesia supported progress on the establishment of a waqf under the management of the Islamic Development Bank, as well as a trust fund under the World Bank, she said, expressing appreciation for traditional and non-traditional donors as well as regional partners who supported Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA.<\/p>\n

BERNARDITO CLEOPAS AUZA, Permanent Observer for the\u00a0Holy See<\/u>, said his delegation was alarmed about the situation in Syria and the tremendous toll on both Palestine refugees and Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA staff.\u00a0 The Holy See was also gravely concerned about the significant impact of that crisis on neighbouring countries.\u00a0 Noting that Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s funding had not kept pace with the increased needs of Palestinian refugees, he declared: \u201cUltimately our goal is to render Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA irrelevant and useless, but the only way to do this is to deprive it of its reason for continued operations through the full implementation of United Nations General Assembly resolution\u00a0181 in 1947.\u201d\u00a0 Expressing grave concern over recent gradual attempts to move away from a two\u2011State solution, he said inflammatory rhetoric and the straying from the Madrid and Oslo Accords had increased the Palestinian people\u2019s desperation.\u00a0 Resolving the Palestinian question would have a beneficial cascading effect on other crises in the region, thus allowing Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA to enjoy a well-deserved retirement, he said, noting, however, that until that time, its work would remain invaluable to the Palestine refugee population.\u00a0 The Holy See was convinced that a two\u2011State solution was the only option that would allow Israel and Palestine to coexist peacefully.<\/p>\n

Closing Remarks<\/u><\/p>\n

PIERRE KR\u00c4HENB\u00dcHL, Commissioner-General of the\u00a0United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East<\/u>, thanked delegates for their recognition of the Agency\u2019s role in providing an urgent humanitarian service response, as a contribution to regional stability.\u00a0 He also expressed gratitude to donor Member States that had reiterated the Agency\u2019s need for continuing support, the host countries for their commitment to the refugees, as well as Turkey and Switzerland for having led the consultations.<\/p>\n

Concerning the funding crisis, he said the $77.5\u00a0million shortfall represented a very critical situation, and in a week, he would have to make difficult decisions, such as suspending a whole range of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA operations if additional funding was not secured.\u00a0 As such, he called upon all Member States to come forward, saying it was regrettable that there had been no support for going forward on a fully assessed regular budget option.<\/p>\n

Emphasizing the importance of neutrality, he said Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA did not sweep such issues under the carpet.\u00a0 The Agency had been asked about the risk of creating dependency through its activities, he said, emphasizing that every humanitarian organization must look carefully at its operations to ensure that such risks were limited.\u00a0 The one difference between Palestine refugees and others was that the others could make a choice to return to an independent State, he said.\u00a0 That was not an option for Palestine refugees in the absence of a political solution, he said.\u00a0 That fundamental element kept them \u201cin a state of refugeehood\u201d.\u00a0 There was, therefore, a need to create a political horizon for them.\u00a0 \u201cFormidable political support must be translated into sustainable funding,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

For information media. Not an official record.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

FOURTH COMMITTEE SEVENTY-SECOND SESSION,\u00a025TH MEETING (AM) GA\/SPD\/654 6 NOVEMBER 2017 fran\u00e7ais Urging broader support for new financing mechanisms, delegates warned today of a humanitarian crisis should the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA) be forced to scale back services because of a financing deficit, as the Fourth […]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":172,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"country":[],"document-category":[2433,1329],"document-source":[5618],"committee-meeting":[],"document-subject":[1945,1745],"entity":[1729],"document-language":[6542,6541],"class_list":["post-122665","document","type-document","status-publish","hentry","document-category-french-text","document-category-press-release","document-source-general-assembly-fourth-committee-special-political-and-decolonization","document-subject-assistance","document-subject-refugees-and-displaced-persons","entity-united-nations-system","document-language-english","document-language-french"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/122665","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/document"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/172"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/122665\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=122665"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=122665"},{"taxonomy":"document-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-category?post=122665"},{"taxonomy":"document-source","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-source?post=122665"},{"taxonomy":"committee-meeting","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/committee-meeting?post=122665"},{"taxonomy":"document-subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-subject?post=122665"},{"taxonomy":"entity","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/entity?post=122665"},{"taxonomy":"document-language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-language?post=122665"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}