UAE reaffirms its resolve to supporting Palestinians

new york — The United Arab Emirates has renewed its commitment to supporting the Palestinian people, through its assistance of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). It also highlighted the importance of UNRWA’s humanitarian and development mandate and its efforts to restore stability in the region.

The UAE statement was delivered by Maisoon AlDah, member of the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, at the UN General Assembly. The UAE urged member states to reduce the deficit facing the agency. The UAE stressed its commitment to fulfilling its humanitarian obligations around the world, including its cooperation with key international partners and UN agencies.

The UAE lauded UNRWA’s vital role in providing support to Palestinian refugees and protecting their rights and freedoms, particularly in the light of current crises and the spread of extremism in the region.

The country also outlined its long-standing commitment to supporting the Palestinian people, noting that in 2017 and 2018 alone, the UAE contributed $130 million to Palestine.

In April 2018, the UAE contributed $50 million to support UNRWA’s education programme, in addition to the $15 million contribution towards the 2017-2018 school year — noting the importance of education in building a better future for upcoming generations.

This contribution will enable the continuation of education for over 500,000 students. Through national non-profit organisations, the UAE also supports the reconstruction of schools, hospitals, medical centres and other basic facilities in the Gaza Strip.

The UAE said that while efforts are being made to alleviate the plight of the Palestinian refugees, resolving the refugee crisis was dependent on resolving the Palestinian issue. —