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Hamas calls on United Nations to cover UNRWA's financial deficit

August 4, 2015 at 2:31 pm

The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas has called on the United Nations Central Fund to intervene to support the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and cover its fiscal deficit.

“We call upon the UN Central Fund to intervene and cover [UNRWA’S] deficit, given that the agency is one of the UN’s organisations and there is no justification for the reduction of its services, even if the donor countries are not able to meet their financial obligations,” the movement said in a statement released on Monday.

Hamas declared its firm rejection of UNRWA’s postponement of the beginning of the school year in Palestine as a result of the fiscal deficit. “The delay is a red line and all of those who support the Palestinian people should save the school year and make it an untouchable key benchmark,” Hamas said.

Hamas called on host countries of Palestinian refugees to take action and warn UNRWA and its donor countries about the risks that could result from the reduction of services. The movement also urged host countries to allow refugees to express their views by establishing protest camps on the borders with Palestine where they can communicate their demands.

The United Nations announced last week in New York that the lack of funds could result in the closure of 700 schools providing educational services to Palestinian refugees in the Middle East.