Qatar to Continue Supporting Palestinian People
New York / information office / 06 November 2017
The State of Qatar has confirmed that it will continue to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and will continue to support the brotherly Palestinian people and reaffirm their right to their inalienable rights.
This came in Qatar' statement delivered by Abdullah Salem Al-Malki, member of the delegation of the State of Qatar participating in the 72nd session of the General Assembly before the Fourth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly on item 53: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
He said that UNRWA was endeavoring to fulfill its mandate under successive obstacles and in view of the difficult humanitarian situation and difficulties faced by the Palestine refugees, noting that the State of Qatar is at the forefront of countries that provide humanitarian support for the brotherly Palestinian people. It responded to the great humanitarian needs by announcing a $ 1 billion pledge at the Cairo Conference for the reconstruction of Gaza and has already completed housing projects, public facilities and infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, and continues its constructive efforts.
He also renewed Qatar's welcoming the signing of a reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas and the Palestinian National Reconciliation Government (NCP) taking over its duties in the Gaza Strip, in which we see a glimmer of hope for a new stage of unity and harmony for the brotherly Palestinian people.
The Palestinian refugees, numbering over five million , are indispensable for UNRWA's vital role and the assistance it provides in accordance with its mandate under the relevant General Assembly resolutions, said, adding UNRWA services represent the minimum necessary to enable refugees to overcome the difficulties they face, and to enjoy basic human rights, human development and an adequate standard of living through the Agency's comprehensive activities in the areas of basic health care, basic and secondary education, food, shelter, relief and social services.
Al-Malki said that provision of such protection and support structures is necessary in view of the challenges faced by the Palestinian refugees in the absence of a just and lasting solution to their plight and the continued occupation and siege imposed on Gaza. There will remain a fundamental and indispensable need for UNRWA until a just and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian question, The right of return of refugees in accordance with international law and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations, in particular General Assembly resolution 194 of 1948. ", he said.
"This year, he said also continues the vast funding gap affecting the Agency's program budget, which is a chronic financial deficit. This difficult financial situation is seriously affecting the Agency's operational activities in all fields and the effectiveness of its core services as reflected in the Agency's annual report.
In the context of the humanitarian support provided by the State of Qatar to the brotherly Palestinian people, last year, $ 1 million was provided for the program budget of UNRWA in support of the Agency's activities and programs, in particular with regard to the field of education and the construction and rehabilitation of schools, Al-Malki said.