The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), launched on 29 April ‘Palestiniadi’, a three-day sports event for children and youth living in Palestine refugee camps and gatherings in Lebanon. For the eighth year, Palestiniadi brought together more than 300 Palestine refugee children from Lebanon, Palestine refugees from Syria in Lebanon, and Lebanese children to compete in six different sports activities. Around 40 children with disabilities were among the participants.
The opening ceremony took place on Saturday in the UNRWA Siblin Training Centre (South Campus) in Saida, Lebanon, and was attended by UNRWA Director of UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon, Matthias Schmale; representatives from UNICEF and the Palestinian Embassy in Lebanon; the Mayor of Siblin; political, social and municipal dignitaries; teachers; parents; and students.
Addressing the event, Mr. Schmale said: “The coming three days are dedicated to children. Palestinian and Lebanese children, who, despite the challenging environment surrounding us, chose to participate in an important sports event that fosters peace, inclusiveness and dignity. I hope that one day, several of you will proudly represent Palestine and Lebanon in the International Olympics.”
Commenting on the event, the UNICEF Representative to Lebanon, Tanya Chapuisat, said: “Children have the right to engage in play and recreational activities everywhere, regardless of their nationality or whether they have a disability; all children basically have the right to be children and we are here today, all of us, to promote and support this right. Sports are also vital for the physical development and psychological well-being of children and adolescents, especially those affected by the Syria crisis.”
Palestiniadi took place between 29 April and 1 May, where children between the ages of 12 and 16 competed in six different sports games: football, table tennis, running, volleyball, basketball and chess. The event concluded on 1 May, when medals were distributed to the winners and participants of the various competitions.
In addition to generous support from UNICEF, the event would not have been possible without the support of the Agency’s local partners, namely Palestinian Boys Scouts, Girls Guides Association, Human Call Association, Ghassan Kanafani Foundation, Abu Jihad Al Wazir Foundation and a dabke group from Beqaa.
Background Information
UNRWA is confronted with an increased demand for services resulting from a growth in the number of registered Palestine refugees, the extent of their vulnerability and their deepening poverty. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions and financial support has been outpaced by the growth in needs. As a result, the UNRWA Programme Budget, which supports the delivery of core essential services, operates with a large shortfall, projected for 2016 to stand at US$ 81 million. UNRWA emergency programmes and key projects, also operating with large shortfalls, are funded through separate funding portals.
UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and mandated to provide assistance and protection to some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip achieve their full human development potential, pending a just and lasting solution to their plight. UNRWA services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, protection and microfinance .
For more information, please contact:
Christopher Gunness
Spokesperson, Director of Advocacy & Strategic Communications
Mobile: +972 (0)54 240 2659
Office: +972 (0)2 589 0267
c.gunness@unrwa.org
Sami Mshasha
Chief of Communications, Arabic Language Spokesperson
Mobile: +972 (0)54 216 8295
Office: +972 (0)2 589 0724
s.mshasha@unrwa.org
Zizette Darkazally
Public Information Officer - Lebanon Field Office
Mobile: + 961 (0)1 840 490
Office: + 961 (0)1 840 490
z.darkazally@unrwa.org