15 aug 2015
The Hamas Movement has warned that it will take tougher steps to force the UNRWA officials to backtrack on their decisions to reduce the services provided for the Palestinian refugees.
This came in speeches delivered by two Hamas officials during rallies held in Gaza City and Jabaliya refugee camp in protest at the reduction in UNRWA services
Hamas official and lawmaker Mushir al-Masri described the UNRWA service cuts as an open war on the Palestinian refugees, warning that his Movement's reactions to the UNRWA's decisions would not remain limited.
Masri called on the UN to shoulder its responsibilities towards the Palestinian refugees and move to cover the agency's budget deficit.
He also demanded the UNRWA commissioner-general to halt all decisions that had affected the employees' rights before working on ending the budget deficit.
The Hamas official stressed that the services provided by the UN for the Palestinian people are its duty because it had created the occupation on the land of Palestine.
For his part, senior Hamas official Mohamed Abu Askar said in his speech in Jabaliya refugee camp that all options would be open to his Movement if the UNRWA persisted in reducing the services it provides for the refugees.
Abu Askar emphasized that Hamas would never allow the UNRWA to close its schools and suspend thousands of teachers from their jobs as part of its measures to liquidate the issue of the Palestinian refugees.
This came in speeches delivered by two Hamas officials during rallies held in Gaza City and Jabaliya refugee camp in protest at the reduction in UNRWA services
Hamas official and lawmaker Mushir al-Masri described the UNRWA service cuts as an open war on the Palestinian refugees, warning that his Movement's reactions to the UNRWA's decisions would not remain limited.
Masri called on the UN to shoulder its responsibilities towards the Palestinian refugees and move to cover the agency's budget deficit.
He also demanded the UNRWA commissioner-general to halt all decisions that had affected the employees' rights before working on ending the budget deficit.
The Hamas official stressed that the services provided by the UN for the Palestinian people are its duty because it had created the occupation on the land of Palestine.
For his part, senior Hamas official Mohamed Abu Askar said in his speech in Jabaliya refugee camp that all options would be open to his Movement if the UNRWA persisted in reducing the services it provides for the refugees.
Abu Askar emphasized that Hamas would never allow the UNRWA to close its schools and suspend thousands of teachers from their jobs as part of its measures to liquidate the issue of the Palestinian refugees.
12 aug 2015
Saudi Arabia has announced that it will provide $35 million to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in a bid to avert a financial crisis within the organization, a statement said.
According to Ma'an, Yousef al-Bassam, Managing Director of the Saudi Fund for Development, said the donation aims to mitigate a funding crisis within UNRWA, which has threatened to delay the start of the school year for hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees.
"The closure of schools for half a million Palestinian children would be a catastrophe. I hope the rest of UNRWA’s steadfast partners will take heart in the continued confidence placed in the agency by the Kingdom with this latest contribution, and step forward with their own pledges to keep UNRWA’s operations going,” al-Bassam said.
The money will be spent on education and health in the Gaza Strip, upgrading schools and health centers in Jordan, and constructing three health centers in the occupied West Bank.
Around $19 million will contribute to reducing the current financial deficit within UNRWA, estimated at some $101 million.
UNRWA's Commisioner-General Pierre Krahenbuhl thanked Saudi Arabia for the donation, calling it a "strong message of solidarity" with Palestinian refugees.
"Education for Palestine refugee boys and girls is a right that we defend with our utmost energy. I must state again that the risk of a delay to our school year remains real unless we can cover our $101 million deficit in the coming days.”
In May this year, UNRWA signed several agreements with the Saudi Fund for Development worth $111.5 million, bringing to $146.5 million the total of the SFD’s donations to UNRWA so far in 2015.
Saudi Arabia is the third largest donor to UNRWA.
Last week, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon raised alarm over a $100 million shortfall in funding for the UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees and called for urgent donations.
He called "on all donors to urgently ensure that the $100 million required be contributed to UNRWA at the earliest possible date so that the children of Palestine can begin their 2015-2016 school year without delay."
According to Ma'an, Yousef al-Bassam, Managing Director of the Saudi Fund for Development, said the donation aims to mitigate a funding crisis within UNRWA, which has threatened to delay the start of the school year for hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees.
"The closure of schools for half a million Palestinian children would be a catastrophe. I hope the rest of UNRWA’s steadfast partners will take heart in the continued confidence placed in the agency by the Kingdom with this latest contribution, and step forward with their own pledges to keep UNRWA’s operations going,” al-Bassam said.
The money will be spent on education and health in the Gaza Strip, upgrading schools and health centers in Jordan, and constructing three health centers in the occupied West Bank.
Around $19 million will contribute to reducing the current financial deficit within UNRWA, estimated at some $101 million.
UNRWA's Commisioner-General Pierre Krahenbuhl thanked Saudi Arabia for the donation, calling it a "strong message of solidarity" with Palestinian refugees.
"Education for Palestine refugee boys and girls is a right that we defend with our utmost energy. I must state again that the risk of a delay to our school year remains real unless we can cover our $101 million deficit in the coming days.”
In May this year, UNRWA signed several agreements with the Saudi Fund for Development worth $111.5 million, bringing to $146.5 million the total of the SFD’s donations to UNRWA so far in 2015.
Saudi Arabia is the third largest donor to UNRWA.
Last week, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon raised alarm over a $100 million shortfall in funding for the UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees and called for urgent donations.
He called "on all donors to urgently ensure that the $100 million required be contributed to UNRWA at the earliest possible date so that the children of Palestine can begin their 2015-2016 school year without delay."
Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya has warned of an international plan aimed at torpedoing the issue of the Palestinian refugees and turning it into a mere Arab issue.
Hayya made his remarks in a speech during a military parade held on Tuesday by al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas in Beit Hanoun.
The Hamas official stressed that any attempt to undermine the issue of the refugees would be considered a serious violation of the sacredness of the Palestinian cause.
He asserted that the Palestinian resistance had foiled an American attempt to create two separate entities in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and reiterated his Movement's adherence to the liberation project.
He also condemned the ongoing Israeli violations at the Aqsa Mosque and in the West Bank and affirmed that the resistance would retaliate to the crimes committed against the Palestinians there.
Hayya made his remarks in a speech during a military parade held on Tuesday by al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas in Beit Hanoun.
The Hamas official stressed that any attempt to undermine the issue of the refugees would be considered a serious violation of the sacredness of the Palestinian cause.
He asserted that the Palestinian resistance had foiled an American attempt to create two separate entities in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and reiterated his Movement's adherence to the liberation project.
He also condemned the ongoing Israeli violations at the Aqsa Mosque and in the West Bank and affirmed that the resistance would retaliate to the crimes committed against the Palestinians there.
Palestinian premier Rami al-Hamdallah said that the financial crisis of the UNRWA would be resolved within days.
In recent press remarks, Hamdallah stated that his government and president Mahmoud Abbas were lately in contact with the donor countries and achieved concrete progress with regard to the UNRWA's current crisis.
He pointed out in particular to the efforts being made with the UNRWA to ensure the start of study in its school on a timely manner.
The premier stressed the importance of containing and solving the UNRWA's crisis so as to protect the rights of the Palestinian refugees and support them in light of the difficult regional situation.
In recent press remarks, Hamdallah stated that his government and president Mahmoud Abbas were lately in contact with the donor countries and achieved concrete progress with regard to the UNRWA's current crisis.
He pointed out in particular to the efforts being made with the UNRWA to ensure the start of study in its school on a timely manner.
The premier stressed the importance of containing and solving the UNRWA's crisis so as to protect the rights of the Palestinian refugees and support them in light of the difficult regional situation.
11 aug 2015
Palestinians in a number of refugee camps across the occupied West Bank, on Tuesday, reportedly closed main roads near the camps to protest a possible decision by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees to delay the school year.
Ahmad Abu Kheiran, the head of a popular committee in the southern West Bank's refugee camps, said that protesters used classroom chairs to block the roads.
He said that the protest was the first of many that would be carried out against UNRWA.
Abu Kheiran said that a possible delay to the school year, in addition to a wider reduction of UNRWA's services, was a dangerous step that could lead to terminating the UN agency entirely.
Abu Kheiran made his comments a day after a Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine official in the Gaza Strip lambasted the UNRWA cuts.
Mahmoud Khalaf claimed that "the alleged financial crisis in UNRWA" had been made up as a pretext to shut down the UN agency and undermine the Palestinian refugees' right of return to land inside Israel from which they were expelled in 1948.
UNRWA was established in 1948 to provide relief to more than 700,000 Palestinians who were violently expelled from what became the state of Israel.
After nearly 70 years -- with no solution to the Palestinian refugee problem -- the UN General Assembly has repeatedly renewed UNRWA's mandate every two years. The agency now attempts to provide basic needs to over five million Palestinians across the Middle East.
In recent months the agency has been struggling to secure donor funding, forcing it to scale back on its core services, including education, in addition to its emergency relief programs.
Last month, UNRWA said that unless funding was secured by the middle of August to cover a $101 million deficit, "the financial crisis may force the suspension of services relating to the Agency's education program." "This would mean a delay in the school year for half a million students attending some 700 schools and 8 vocational training centers across the Middle East."
Earlier this month, UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krahenbuhl said: "Nothing is more important for these children in terms of their dignity and identity than the education they receive. We are simply not allowed to let them down."
Ahmad Abu Kheiran, the head of a popular committee in the southern West Bank's refugee camps, said that protesters used classroom chairs to block the roads.
He said that the protest was the first of many that would be carried out against UNRWA.
Abu Kheiran said that a possible delay to the school year, in addition to a wider reduction of UNRWA's services, was a dangerous step that could lead to terminating the UN agency entirely.
Abu Kheiran made his comments a day after a Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine official in the Gaza Strip lambasted the UNRWA cuts.
Mahmoud Khalaf claimed that "the alleged financial crisis in UNRWA" had been made up as a pretext to shut down the UN agency and undermine the Palestinian refugees' right of return to land inside Israel from which they were expelled in 1948.
UNRWA was established in 1948 to provide relief to more than 700,000 Palestinians who were violently expelled from what became the state of Israel.
After nearly 70 years -- with no solution to the Palestinian refugee problem -- the UN General Assembly has repeatedly renewed UNRWA's mandate every two years. The agency now attempts to provide basic needs to over five million Palestinians across the Middle East.
In recent months the agency has been struggling to secure donor funding, forcing it to scale back on its core services, including education, in addition to its emergency relief programs.
Last month, UNRWA said that unless funding was secured by the middle of August to cover a $101 million deficit, "the financial crisis may force the suspension of services relating to the Agency's education program." "This would mean a delay in the school year for half a million students attending some 700 schools and 8 vocational training centers across the Middle East."
Earlier this month, UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krahenbuhl said: "Nothing is more important for these children in terms of their dignity and identity than the education they receive. We are simply not allowed to let them down."
9 aug 2015
The Hamas Movement's division of refugee affairs has welcomed Turkey's recent decision to put the Palestinian refugees who fled from Syria on an equal footing with their Syrian counterparts and provide them with the same privileges.
In a press release on Saturday, Hamas stated that such step would alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian refugees and make them feel that there is still a glimmer of humanity and mercy in the world.
The Movement appealed to Syria's neighboring countries, which receive Palestinian refugees, to follow suit and provide them with the same good treatment as other refugees until their adversity comes to an end.
In a press release on Saturday, Hamas stated that such step would alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian refugees and make them feel that there is still a glimmer of humanity and mercy in the world.
The Movement appealed to Syria's neighboring countries, which receive Palestinian refugees, to follow suit and provide them with the same good treatment as other refugees until their adversity comes to an end.
8 aug 2015
Press Release for Immediate Publication
United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA
via UNRWA spokesman Chris Gunness
Jerusalem, 8 August 2015: The infant mortality rate in Gaza has risen for the first time in five decades, according to an UNRWA study, and UNRWA’s Health Director says the blockade may be contributing to the trend.
Every five years, UNRWA conducts a survey of infant mortality across the region, and the 2013 results were released this week.
The number of babies dying before the age of one has consistently gone down over the last decades in Gaza, from 127 per 1,000 live births in 1960 to 20.2 in 2008. At the last count, in 2013, it had risen to 22.4 per 1,000 live births.
The rate of neonatal mortality, which is the number of babies that die before four weeks old, has also gone up significantly in Gaza, from 12 per 1,000 live births in 2008 to 20.3 in 2013.
“Infant mortality is one of the best indicators for the health of the community,” said Dr. Akihiro Seita, Director of UNRWA’s health program. “It reflects on the mother and child’s health and in the U.N. Millennium Development Goals it is one of the key indicators.”
“The rate”, Dr. Seita said, “had declined quite smoothly over the last decades across the region, including Gaza. So when the 2013 results from Gaza were first uncovered, UNRWA was alarmed by the apparent increase. So we worked with external independent research groups to examine the data, to ensure the increase could be confirmed. That is why it took us so long to release these latest figures“.
Such an increase here is unprecedented in Dr. Seita’s experience working in the Middle East. “Progress in combatting infant mortality doesn’t usually reverse. This seems to be the first time we have seen an increase like this,” Dr. Seita said. “The only other examples I can think of are in some African countries which experienced HIV epidemics”.
The UN Agency will carry out another region-wide survey of Palestinian refugees in 2018. However, UNRWA will conduct one this year in Gaza alone because of these latest figures.
“It is hard to know the exact causes behind the increase in both neonatal and infant mortality rates, but I fear it is part of a wider trend. We are very concerned about the impact of the long-term blockade on health facilities, supplies of medicines and bringing equipment in to Gaza,” Dr. Seita said.
The UNRWA report also highlights that the most recent survey was conducted before last year’s conflict in which over two thousand Palestinians were killed, the majority of whom were civilians, including over 550 children.
c.gunness@unrwa.org
United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA
via UNRWA spokesman Chris Gunness
Jerusalem, 8 August 2015: The infant mortality rate in Gaza has risen for the first time in five decades, according to an UNRWA study, and UNRWA’s Health Director says the blockade may be contributing to the trend.
Every five years, UNRWA conducts a survey of infant mortality across the region, and the 2013 results were released this week.
The number of babies dying before the age of one has consistently gone down over the last decades in Gaza, from 127 per 1,000 live births in 1960 to 20.2 in 2008. At the last count, in 2013, it had risen to 22.4 per 1,000 live births.
The rate of neonatal mortality, which is the number of babies that die before four weeks old, has also gone up significantly in Gaza, from 12 per 1,000 live births in 2008 to 20.3 in 2013.
“Infant mortality is one of the best indicators for the health of the community,” said Dr. Akihiro Seita, Director of UNRWA’s health program. “It reflects on the mother and child’s health and in the U.N. Millennium Development Goals it is one of the key indicators.”
“The rate”, Dr. Seita said, “had declined quite smoothly over the last decades across the region, including Gaza. So when the 2013 results from Gaza were first uncovered, UNRWA was alarmed by the apparent increase. So we worked with external independent research groups to examine the data, to ensure the increase could be confirmed. That is why it took us so long to release these latest figures“.
Such an increase here is unprecedented in Dr. Seita’s experience working in the Middle East. “Progress in combatting infant mortality doesn’t usually reverse. This seems to be the first time we have seen an increase like this,” Dr. Seita said. “The only other examples I can think of are in some African countries which experienced HIV epidemics”.
The UN Agency will carry out another region-wide survey of Palestinian refugees in 2018. However, UNRWA will conduct one this year in Gaza alone because of these latest figures.
“It is hard to know the exact causes behind the increase in both neonatal and infant mortality rates, but I fear it is part of a wider trend. We are very concerned about the impact of the long-term blockade on health facilities, supplies of medicines and bringing equipment in to Gaza,” Dr. Seita said.
The UNRWA report also highlights that the most recent survey was conducted before last year’s conflict in which over two thousand Palestinians were killed, the majority of whom were civilians, including over 550 children.
c.gunness@unrwa.org
52 Palestinian female refugees have been arrested in the Syrian regime prisons since the outbreak of the Syrian crisis, the Action Group for Palestinians in Syria (AGPS) stated Friday.
The rights group affirmed in a new report issued Friday that 52 Palestinian women and girls were detained in Syrian prisons over the past four years.
The report pointed out that Palestinian women were subjected to arrest, kidnapping, and killing due to the ongoing bloody events in Syria.
Most of the arrests were taken place at the checkpoints erected at the entrances to Palestinian refugee camps.
Some of the reported female detainees were university students and activists, the group said.
The real number of Palestinian women who were subjected to arrest at the hands of Syrian regime forces is higher than declared, the report pointed out.
As a whole, 933 Palestinian refugees were arrested since the outbreak of the Syrian events in March 2011, while more than 408 detainees were tortured to death.
The rights group affirmed in a new report issued Friday that 52 Palestinian women and girls were detained in Syrian prisons over the past four years.
The report pointed out that Palestinian women were subjected to arrest, kidnapping, and killing due to the ongoing bloody events in Syria.
Most of the arrests were taken place at the checkpoints erected at the entrances to Palestinian refugee camps.
Some of the reported female detainees were university students and activists, the group said.
The real number of Palestinian women who were subjected to arrest at the hands of Syrian regime forces is higher than declared, the report pointed out.
As a whole, 933 Palestinian refugees were arrested since the outbreak of the Syrian events in March 2011, while more than 408 detainees were tortured to death.
7 aug 2015
The Turkish Interior Ministry has decided to give the same privileges for Palestinian refugees as well as their Syrian ones who fled from the ongoing bloody events in their country, rights group said.
The Action Group for Palestinians in Syria (AGPS) revealed that the decision grants Palestinian refugees a temporary “protection card” which guarantees their basic human rights.
The protection card also allows Palestinian refugees to take advantage of all services provided to the Syrian refugees.
The Turkish authorities said that 351 Palestinian refugees have registered themselves in the immigration department; however their real number is expected to be higher than declared.
The AGPS pointed out that the decision did not include cancelling visa application for Palestinians refugees as their entry from Syria requires a visa.
Although Palestinian refugees from Syria are, like Syrian citizens, under temporary protection, the visa-free entry clauses Turkey applies to Syrian citizens are not valid for Palestinian refugees.
The Action Group for Palestinians in Syria (AGPS) revealed that the decision grants Palestinian refugees a temporary “protection card” which guarantees their basic human rights.
The protection card also allows Palestinian refugees to take advantage of all services provided to the Syrian refugees.
The Turkish authorities said that 351 Palestinian refugees have registered themselves in the immigration department; however their real number is expected to be higher than declared.
The AGPS pointed out that the decision did not include cancelling visa application for Palestinians refugees as their entry from Syria requires a visa.
Although Palestinian refugees from Syria are, like Syrian citizens, under temporary protection, the visa-free entry clauses Turkey applies to Syrian citizens are not valid for Palestinian refugees.
6 aug 2015
Palestinian lawmaker Abdul-Rahman al-Jamal has expressed his belief that the financial deficit which the UNRWA claims to suffer from is a "fabricated crisis" aimed at undermining the issue of the Palestinian refugees.
In press remarks on Wednesday, MP Jamal affirmed that the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) would not allow the UNRWA in any way to postpone the start of the school year and would take escalatory steps to prevent that.
The lawmaker also denounced the UNRWA's decision to give its Palestinian employees special leave of absence without pay as an "illegal measure."
He also warned that the PLC would move to confront all the arbitrary actions that had been taken recently by the UNRWA against the Palestinian refugees at the pretext of addressing its budget shortage.
In press remarks on Wednesday, MP Jamal affirmed that the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) would not allow the UNRWA in any way to postpone the start of the school year and would take escalatory steps to prevent that.
The lawmaker also denounced the UNRWA's decision to give its Palestinian employees special leave of absence without pay as an "illegal measure."
He also warned that the PLC would move to confront all the arbitrary actions that had been taken recently by the UNRWA against the Palestinian refugees at the pretext of addressing its budget shortage.
5 aug 2015
Residents of Syria's Yarmuk Palestinian refugee camp, south of Damascus, gather to collect aid food at the adjacent Jazira neighborhood on February 13, 2015
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday raised alarm over a $100 million shortfall in funding for the UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees and called for urgent donations.
Ban said in a statement that the UNRWA relief agency was "a pillar of stability" for five million Palestinian refugees at a time when the Middle East is in the throes of crises and suffering.
He called "on all donors to urgently ensure that the $100 million required be contributed to UNRWA at the earliest possible date so that the children of Palestine can begin their 2015-2016 school year without delay."
Ban has personally spoken to several world leaders in the past weeks about the unprecedented funding crisis at UNRWA, his spokesman said. The United Nations has been struggling to keep several humanitarian efforts afloat in the Middle East -- in Syria, Yemen and also Iraq -- where donors are under pressure to boost contributions.
The war in Syria, now in its fifth year, has driven more than four million people to flee across the border to neighboring countries, in what the UN refugee agency UNHCR has described as the single largest exodus in a generation.
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have staged demonstrations in recent weeks to protest UNRWA's reduction of services, and Hamas has accused the agency of "giving up its role" providing services to refugees. Around 80 percent of Gazans depend on foreign aid to meet their basic needs.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday raised alarm over a $100 million shortfall in funding for the UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees and called for urgent donations.
Ban said in a statement that the UNRWA relief agency was "a pillar of stability" for five million Palestinian refugees at a time when the Middle East is in the throes of crises and suffering.
He called "on all donors to urgently ensure that the $100 million required be contributed to UNRWA at the earliest possible date so that the children of Palestine can begin their 2015-2016 school year without delay."
Ban has personally spoken to several world leaders in the past weeks about the unprecedented funding crisis at UNRWA, his spokesman said. The United Nations has been struggling to keep several humanitarian efforts afloat in the Middle East -- in Syria, Yemen and also Iraq -- where donors are under pressure to boost contributions.
The war in Syria, now in its fifth year, has driven more than four million people to flee across the border to neighboring countries, in what the UN refugee agency UNHCR has described as the single largest exodus in a generation.
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have staged demonstrations in recent weeks to protest UNRWA's reduction of services, and Hamas has accused the agency of "giving up its role" providing services to refugees. Around 80 percent of Gazans depend on foreign aid to meet their basic needs.
3 aug 2015
United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) confirmed that it will announce its decision on the commencement of the Academic year in its schools and institutes in mid August.
The agency revealed that it was facing a finical crisis making it unable to pay salaries for its employees.
Deputy Commissioner-General of UNRWA Sandra Mitchel said, in a press conference on Monday, “No resolution has been made at the moment. I don’t think it might be made before mid of August. And, no one has the authority to make such a decision except for the Commissioner-General”.
She said the UNRWA needs funding in order to run schools on time, stressing that UNRWA is keen to provide education services to half a million of Palestinian students.
She revealed that there is a crisis in paying employees’ salaries of September, noting that August’s salaries will be paid as usual. She underlined that they are making the necessary efforts for obtaining required funding.
Mitchel pointed out that the UNRWA has followed a series of austerity measures which led to ending the contracts of 85% of its employees.
The agency revealed that it was facing a finical crisis making it unable to pay salaries for its employees.
Deputy Commissioner-General of UNRWA Sandra Mitchel said, in a press conference on Monday, “No resolution has been made at the moment. I don’t think it might be made before mid of August. And, no one has the authority to make such a decision except for the Commissioner-General”.
She said the UNRWA needs funding in order to run schools on time, stressing that UNRWA is keen to provide education services to half a million of Palestinian students.
She revealed that there is a crisis in paying employees’ salaries of September, noting that August’s salaries will be paid as usual. She underlined that they are making the necessary efforts for obtaining required funding.
Mitchel pointed out that the UNRWA has followed a series of austerity measures which led to ending the contracts of 85% of its employees.
2 aug 2015
The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is suffering a severe financial crisis that has apparently forced it to cut costs, worrying Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip who depend to a large extent on the agency's assistance.
On June 15, UN Commissioner-General Pierre Krähenbühl announced that the agency's fiscal deficit for the current year had reached $101 million, while adding that the UN remained committed to providing badly-needed services for Palestinian refugees.
Marwa Obeid, 45, expressed fear that the crisis could affect the health sector and the distribution of aid to needy families in Gaza.
She added that she and her friends had noticed a recent reduction in the health and educational services provided by UNRWA.
"UNRWA had been distributing $20 in cash assistance for students at UNRWA schools in the Gaza Strip, which my children had benefited from," she said.
"Recently, however, this has completely stopped, along with the daily meals provided to students, which ended after Israel's last war against Gaza [in mid-2014]," Obeid added.
Aid provided by UNRWA, she said, was the "only reason" why her and her family were still alive, due to her husband's numerous health problems.
In a statement to Anadolu Agency, Adnan Abo Hasna, the UNRWA's spokesman in the Gaza Strip, said the agency's current fiscal deficit may soon force it to close as many as 700 schools in the five areas that it operates in – namely, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, which collectively host some half million Palestinian children.
"So far, there is no official decision to close any school," he said. "But the fiscal deficit may lead us not to open the schools and receive students next year."
According to Abu Hasna, the UNRWA's 252 schools in the Gaza Strip – which offer services to about 248,000 Palestinian students – will face possible closure if the fiscal deficit isn't resolved.
It also coincided, the agency added, "with the obvious decline of financial support from donor countries."
Abdel Sattar Qassem, professor of political science at the West Bank's Birzeit University, meanwhile, believes the UNRWA crisis may be of a "political" nature.
"The donors' failure to meet their commitments could be due to regional and international schemes aimed at reducing the agency's activities and terminating its services," he told Anadolu Agency.
He added: "This would ultimately mean the end of the cause of the Palestinian refugees."
On June 15, UN Commissioner-General Pierre Krähenbühl announced that the agency's fiscal deficit for the current year had reached $101 million, while adding that the UN remained committed to providing badly-needed services for Palestinian refugees.
Marwa Obeid, 45, expressed fear that the crisis could affect the health sector and the distribution of aid to needy families in Gaza.
She added that she and her friends had noticed a recent reduction in the health and educational services provided by UNRWA.
"UNRWA had been distributing $20 in cash assistance for students at UNRWA schools in the Gaza Strip, which my children had benefited from," she said.
"Recently, however, this has completely stopped, along with the daily meals provided to students, which ended after Israel's last war against Gaza [in mid-2014]," Obeid added.
Aid provided by UNRWA, she said, was the "only reason" why her and her family were still alive, due to her husband's numerous health problems.
In a statement to Anadolu Agency, Adnan Abo Hasna, the UNRWA's spokesman in the Gaza Strip, said the agency's current fiscal deficit may soon force it to close as many as 700 schools in the five areas that it operates in – namely, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, which collectively host some half million Palestinian children.
"So far, there is no official decision to close any school," he said. "But the fiscal deficit may lead us not to open the schools and receive students next year."
According to Abu Hasna, the UNRWA's 252 schools in the Gaza Strip – which offer services to about 248,000 Palestinian students – will face possible closure if the fiscal deficit isn't resolved.
It also coincided, the agency added, "with the obvious decline of financial support from donor countries."
Abdel Sattar Qassem, professor of political science at the West Bank's Birzeit University, meanwhile, believes the UNRWA crisis may be of a "political" nature.
"The donors' failure to meet their commitments could be due to regional and international schemes aimed at reducing the agency's activities and terminating its services," he told Anadolu Agency.
He added: "This would ultimately mean the end of the cause of the Palestinian refugees."
