GAZA (PIC)– A top UN refugee official urged the European Union on Thursday to do more to alleviate the crisis in the Palestinian territories caused by international sanctions and a collapsing economy.
Karen Abu Zayd commissioner general for UN Relief and Works Agency said her agency urgently needed US$246 million in emergency funding to continue providing education health care social services and aid to 4.4 million Palestine refugees living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip Lebanon Syria and Jordan.
Abu Zayd cited the recent Arab League peace initiative and formation of a Palestinian national unity government including the Islamic group Hamas and the more moderate Fatah as positive signs which require some “reward’’ from the international community. Since Hamas which refuses to recognise Israel won the Palestinian election in 2006.
