UNRWA: We will not sit idly by following US measures

Pierre Krahenbuhl, the Commissioner General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), said yesterday that the agency “we will not sit idle regarding the US measures,” Quds Net News reported.

Krahenbuhl was referring to America ceasing its funding for the international organisation, which he said was done in an effort to pressure Palestinian leaders.

While speaking in a discussion panel organised by a Palestinian NGO in Ramallah, Krahenbuhl said that UNRWA “is looking for new partnership with states, organisations and individuals in order to cover its budget deficit.”

“We have launched the global fundraising campaign ‘Dignity is Priceless’ because we are committed to the Palestinian refugees and we will not give up this mission,” he said.

Read: The debate on UNRWA takes focus away from the realities of Palestinian refugees

He noted that UNRWA had contacted many countries in order to guarantee the start of the school year for half a million refugees. “This is a big achievement,” Krahenbuhl added.

“We still need $200 million to guarantee schools continue opening until the end of the year,” Krahenbuhl stressed as he thanked Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Japan, India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sweden, Germany, France, Switzerland, Canada and the United Kingdom.

The UNRWA is not a financial burden, but is an organisation that invests in people and works for their rights and dignity

Krahenbuhl said. “If donors got this fact, then, we are sure that we will continue receiving donations.”