UNRWA has appealed to donors to help it maintain a $1.2-billion budget in 2019 after it was hit last year by the withdrawal of US funding.
UNRWA was able to fully fund a budget of the same amount in 2018 despite a dramatic shortfall when the administration of US president Donald Trump halted all support for the agency.
In a news conference held in Geneva on Tuesday UNRWA commissioner-general Pierre Krahenbuhl said It was the amount needed to keep UNRWA operations at the same level as in 2018.
Krahenbuhl paid a strong tribute to all UNRWA donor partners. “As we faced the most severe financial challenge in our proud history it was both humbling and inspiring to have witnessed the extent and generosity of the response from host and donor governments from within the United Nations and NGO partners from civil society and individuals. I wish to convey my heartfelt gratitude for this exemplary commitment and solidarity.”
“One of the greatest concerns for Palestine refugees is the current near complete absence of horizon both political and personal. In the midst of this it is essential to preserve the key services carried out by courageous UNRWA staff in some of the most difficult and polarized regions of the Middle East. My call is therefore to all our partners to sustain the generous funding levels achieved individually and collectively in 2018.”
