In a significant show of international solidarity, 118 countries have officially joined an initiative launched by Jordan, Kuwait, and Slovenia to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
This initiative aims to address the political and financial challenges facing the agency and reaffirm its crucial role in providing services to Palestinian refugees.
The announcement was made during a joint press conference held at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
The event was attended by Slovenia’s Foreign Minister, the UNRWA Commissioner-General, and numerous representatives of member states.
Jordan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Mahmoud Hammoud, stated, “We are here to officially announce the short-term commitments initiative for UNRWA, initiated by Slovenia, Jordan, and Kuwait.
Initially launched by a group of 16 countries, this initiative now has the backing of 118 states.” He added that he received calls from representatives of other countries expressing their desire to join the initiative and invited all member states to sign up.
Ambassador Hammoud emphasized the critical importance of supporting UNRWA during these challenging times, highlighting that the agency is a lifeline for Palestinian refugees across all its operational areas.
“No other agency linked to the United Nations or humanitarian organizations can perform the tasks that UNRWA does, especially regarding education, health, and livelihoods in the occupied Palestinian territories,” he said.
Slovenia’s Foreign Minister, Tanja Fajon, underscored the vital role of UNRWA, noting that it saves lives daily. She expressed gratitude to the Foreign Ministers of Jordan and Kuwait for their efforts in this initiative. “Through these joint commitments, we send a strong signal of political support for UNRWA,” she stated.
She acknowledged the agency’s essential role, as mandated by the General Assembly, in providing life-saving assistance to generations of Palestinian refugees.
Minister Fajon also praised UNRWA as the backbone of all humanitarian responses in Gaza and appreciated the dedication of the UN Secretary-General and the UNRWA Commissioner-General.
She expressed concern about the agency’s critical financial situation and emphasized the importance of predictable and sustainable funding. “Cooperation among all countries and UN bodies is crucial to support UNRWA’s vision and mission,” she added.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini expressed his gratitude for the strong support and solidarity shown to the agency and its staff.
He highlighted the inclusion of all Security Council members in the joint commitment initiative. “This is a significant day for the agency amid the politically motivated attacks it faces. It is crucial for member states to reaffirm their support and trust in UNRWA,” he said.
Lazzarini acknowledged the dedication of UNRWA staff working under challenging and unprecedented conditions.
He reiterated that the commitment is a testament to UNRWA’s role as the backbone of humanitarian response and that a political solution is essential for the agency to continue its vital activities.
“One in every two people living in Gaza today is under the age of 18. Over 600,000 boys and girls live among the rubble, suffering severe trauma.
Our collective commitment must be to return them to an educational environment as soon as possible to avoid sacrificing an entire generation and sowing seeds of further violence in the future,” Lazzarini emphasized.
On behalf of his colleagues and Palestinian refugees, Lazzarini expressed deep appreciation for the support of the countries that signed the joint declaration.
