With its unprecedented pledge of USD 50 million to UNRWA at a recent ministerial conference in Rome, Qatar will become one of UNRWA’s top donors and will have a major impact on the Agency’s ability to continue its vital services to the vulnerable Palestine refugee community during this period of dramatic financial crisis.
On March 15, at the conference titled Preserving Dignity and Sharing Responsibility � Mobilizing Collective Action for UNRWA, Qatar made the largest pledge, which will safeguard Palestine refugee children’s access to education in the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon for the remainder of the current academic year as well as other core and essential services the Agency provides to Palestine refugees in the Middle East.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who was present at the conference, praised Qatar for its announced funding to UNRWA saying in a statement, I sincerely thank the Emir for Qatar’s generous contribution in support of Palestine refugees.
Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed Al-Thani said it was important for Qatar to fund the essential services of UNRWA:
In response to this outstanding pledge, UNRWA Commissioner-General, Pierre KrA�henbuhl expressed gratitude.
I applaud Qatar for translating its political commitment into action and for its support to the Palestine refugee community in the region he said.
Source: Palestine Chronicle
