New York - Saba:
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) revealed that it is experiencing an extremely serious financial crisis, suffering a deficit estimated at approximately $200 million, threatening its ability to continue until the end of the current year.
According to UNRWA's official website, the agency's media advisor, Adnan Abu Hasna, explained in a press statement on Monday that the crisis is not limited to the Gaza Strip or the West Bank, but rather extends to all of UNRWA's areas of operation, including Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and East Quds. He noted that the financial situation is extremely critical.
He called on the international community to take action to support the agency, noting that this is not the sole responsibility of UNRWA, but rather the responsibility of the member states of the United Nations General Assembly.
He added that "UNRWA is not a company and does not receive its funding from taxes, as governments do." Rather, approximately 90% of its budget depends on donations, and the only alternative is to support the agency.
Abu Hasna had previously sounded the alarm when he stated that UNRWA's available funding is sufficient until the end of June, calling on the Arab world to take action to financially support the agency.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states.
The Agency's services include education, health care, relief, infrastructure, camp improvement, community support, microfinance, and emergency response, including in times of armed conflict.