Letter of transmittal
Letter dated 1 July 2016 from the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East addressed to the President of the General Assembly
I have the honour to submit to the General Assembly the annual report on the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) for 2015. The report is submitted in compliance with the request contained in paragraph 21 of resolution 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949 and with paragraph 8 of resolution 1315 (XIII) of 12 December 1958.
As in previous years, the report describes political, economic, security and operational developments in the UNRWA fields of operations in Jordan, Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic and the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, as well as significant legal matters, progress in programme reforms, the Agency’s financial situation and priorities for the coming year. The report also includes a review of progress towards the achievement of human development goals, as set out in the Agency’s medium-term strategy for 2010-2015.
The Advisory Commission of UNRWA, comprising 25 Member States and three observers, endorsed a draft of the present report prior to its session held in May 2016, and a letter that the Chair of the Commission addressed to me precedes the report. The ongoing engagement and constructive advice of the Commission continues to be essential to UNRWA. In accordance with usual practice, a draft of the report has also been shared with the Government of Israel.
At the time of submitting the present report, I note a general deep sense of despair and insecurity that runs through the Palestine refugee community. Confronted with hopelessness and fear, amplified by the unresolved Palestinian refugee questions, many are joining the refugee exodus within the region and into Europe, often on perilous sea journeys. However, during my trips and meetings with Palestine refugees in camps throughout the UNRWA areas of operations, I could also witness extraordinary courage, determination and strength.
In the Syrian Arab Republic, as the armed conflict entered its sixth year and intensified across multiple front lines, the widespread disregard for civilian lives has continued to result in increasing humanitarian and protection needs. In the midst of the bloodshed and destruction, the 560,000 Palestine refugees registered with UNRWA in that country are among those worst affected. Hundreds of thousands have been subjected to continued and repeated displacement, and thousands in Yarmuk and Khan al-Shih remain exposed to active conflict and violence, in conditions of unimaginable suffering.
Jordan and Lebanon have been generous in offering sanctuary to more than 1 million civilians fleeing the Syrian Arab Republic, despite the substantial burden this has placed on them. It is vital that the fundamental principle of non-refoulement be honoured with regard to Palestine refugees fleeing the conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic and that, in accordance with international law, they not be discriminated against. It is also critical that the international community continue to provide support to both countries.
In Gaza, as a result of the nine-year Israeli blockade, almost the entire population is dependent on aid to meet basic needs, as unemployment remains among the highest in the world. The situation has been compounded by repeated cycles of conflict that have led to heavy losses of life among civilians and psychological trauma, inflicted major damages to private and public infrastructure and severely undermined the provision of basic services. Tens of thousands of homes remain in ruins after the most recent conflict, in the summer of 2014. Reconstruction is a humanitarian imperative and must be accelerated to enable Gaza to embark on the road to recovery with the support of the international community. The psychological impact of those factors and of the major restrictions on freedom of movement are extremely severe.
In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, violence and operations by Israeli security forces, access restrictions, forced displacement, demolitions and other rights violations have increased significantly since October 2015. As a result of this intensified protection crisis, the casualties and injuries that ensued and the impact of long-term occupation, Palestinian living standards and opportunities to improve them are undermined, and the demand for UNRWA services has remained high.
In 2015, UNRWA faced the most serious financial crisis in its 66-year-long history, which threatened the opening of some 700 schools in the Middle East. The extraordinary mobilization of partners allowed the Agency to bridge that gap and enabled it to sustain the schooling for 500,000 girls and boys. The 2015 shortfall shed a new light on the serious risks for the entire region of an underfunded UNRWA. The Agency’s role as a contributor to a measure of dignity and stability was more clearly recognized than ever, as was the urgency of breaking the cycle of the Agency’s financial instability. The current programme budget deficit for 2016 stands at $74 million. While the Agency has engaged in far-reaching reforms, introduced stringent budget processes and controls and approved a zero-growth budget for 2016 to achieve a more stable financial footing, the accompanying and increased support from donors and partners remains essential.
In a region torn by conflict, UNRWA provides a critical lifeline to Palestine refugees. The remarkable dedication of the Agency’s staff enables it to respond rapidly and effectively to ever mounting needs. They have shown extraordinary courage in continuing to work in extremely difficult circumstances, and I take this opportunity to honour fallen colleagues in Gaza, the West Bank and the Syrian Arab Republic.
In the current volatile context, it is crucial to restore hope and a political horizon for the people in the region. As a matter of dignity, it is essential to strengthen the commitment to Palestine refugees and to UNRWA.
(Signed) Pierre Krähenbühl
Commissioner-General