The Netherlands Embassy in Jordan announced on Monday, 28 November, a contribution of EUR 2 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in support of education services provided by the Agency to Palestine refugee children from Syria. This announcement comes as part of the Dutch government’s launch of a special regional fund in response to the Syria crisis to support affected countries, including Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq. In Jordan, funds are allocated to programmes targeting Jordanians and refugees from Syria.
Speaking at the ceremony, His Excellency, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Jordan, Paul van den IJssel said: “The Netherlands acknowledges the continued needs of Palestinian refugees from Syria. Thus, UNRWA is supported to continue its mission in sustaining education in its established schools. This comes on top of the regular Netherlands contribution to UNRWA.”
Thanking the Dutch government for their support to UNRWA, the Director of UNRWA Operations in Jordan, Roger Davies, said: “This is the second time in a row that UNRWA in Jordan receives support from the Netherlands to Palestine refugees from Syria (PRS). The funds this year will go exclusively to education provided to PRS children through the Agency’s schools, which is at the heart of UNRWA services provided to Palestine refugees. Funding the education programme ensures that no child is left behind and all children have the opportunity to improve their futures.”
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. UNRWA encourages all Member States to work collectively to exert all possible efforts to fully fund the Agency’s Programme Budget. 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
Anwar Abu-Sakieneh Public Information Officer - Jordan Field Office Mobile: +962 (0) 79 5671 888 Office: +962 (0) 79 5671 888 a.abu-sakieneh@unrwa.org
