6 apr 2020
Rai Tatry Bakry Spain
The Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ministry Monday evening announced there were 433 confirmed coronavirus cases and 19 deaths among Palestinians in the diaspora.
The ministry said in a statement that the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Arab countries were 14, Latin America 6, Europe 110 and the US 303.
It elaborated that the number of confirmed cases were distributed as follows: Qatar 4, Algeria 2, Jordan 2, United Arab Emirates 6, Chili 1, Brazil 5, Norway 6, Turkey 2, Netherlands 1, Sweden 2, UK 2, Austria 3, Greece 3, France 8, Spain 8, Germany 9, Italy 14, Belgium 52 and the US 303.
Regarding deaths due to COVID-19, the ministry revealed that the deaths were distributed as follows: Algeria 1, Netherlands 1, Sweden 1, Austria 1, Spain 2, and the US 13.
Highlighting the situation in Turkey, the ministry said that a second Palestinian doctor tested positive for the virus. His condition was stable.
In Belgium, the ministry said that four Palestinian expatriates tested positive for the virus, raising the number of confirmed cases to 52, including a toddler who is placed in quarantine with her mother.
All of the six cases admitted to hospitals since the outbreak of the pandemic were discharged, except for one.
According to the ministry’s statement, there is one confirmed case of an expatriate. She is in home quarantine and doing well. A Chilean woman hailing from Palestinian origin died, but it was not clear whether her death was due to coronavirus.
Meanwhile, following a letter addressed by Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Minister Riyad al-Malki to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canada agreed to allocate $4 million in aid to Palestine through international organizations and $1 million to Palestinian security services.
The Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ministry Monday evening announced there were 433 confirmed coronavirus cases and 19 deaths among Palestinians in the diaspora.
The ministry said in a statement that the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Arab countries were 14, Latin America 6, Europe 110 and the US 303.
It elaborated that the number of confirmed cases were distributed as follows: Qatar 4, Algeria 2, Jordan 2, United Arab Emirates 6, Chili 1, Brazil 5, Norway 6, Turkey 2, Netherlands 1, Sweden 2, UK 2, Austria 3, Greece 3, France 8, Spain 8, Germany 9, Italy 14, Belgium 52 and the US 303.
Regarding deaths due to COVID-19, the ministry revealed that the deaths were distributed as follows: Algeria 1, Netherlands 1, Sweden 1, Austria 1, Spain 2, and the US 13.
Highlighting the situation in Turkey, the ministry said that a second Palestinian doctor tested positive for the virus. His condition was stable.
In Belgium, the ministry said that four Palestinian expatriates tested positive for the virus, raising the number of confirmed cases to 52, including a toddler who is placed in quarantine with her mother.
All of the six cases admitted to hospitals since the outbreak of the pandemic were discharged, except for one.
According to the ministry’s statement, there is one confirmed case of an expatriate. She is in home quarantine and doing well. A Chilean woman hailing from Palestinian origin died, but it was not clear whether her death was due to coronavirus.
Meanwhile, following a letter addressed by Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Minister Riyad al-Malki to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canada agreed to allocate $4 million in aid to Palestine through international organizations and $1 million to Palestinian security services.
14 mar 2020
Senior Hamas official Ra’fat Murra has denounced the call made by Samir Geagea, head of the Lebanese Forces (Christian political party), to isolate the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon at the pretext of containing the Coronavirus, describing it as “reprehensible.”
“Such call by Geagea is useless and inconsistent with humanitarian and legal norms,” Murra said in Twitter remarks on Saturday.
“Geagea should have urged the Lebanese government and the UN to assume their responsibilities [towards refugee camps]. We have always warned against ignoring the refugee situation,” the Hamas official said.
On Friday, Geagea called for imposing a siege on the Palestinian camps in Lebanon and preventing their residents from entering or leaving as part of proposals he made to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
“We must announce measures against the Palestinian camps and the Syrian presence in Lebanon through closing all camps and refusing to allow anyone to enter or leave them,” the Lebanese politician said.
“I wanted to be clear and frank because we should not use political and diplomatic languages or give preferential treatment these days, given that there are Lebanese who have to be alive,” Geagea added.
Geagea made his call despite there is no single reported case of Coronavirus among Palestinian refugees inside or outside their camps.
“Such call by Geagea is useless and inconsistent with humanitarian and legal norms,” Murra said in Twitter remarks on Saturday.
“Geagea should have urged the Lebanese government and the UN to assume their responsibilities [towards refugee camps]. We have always warned against ignoring the refugee situation,” the Hamas official said.
On Friday, Geagea called for imposing a siege on the Palestinian camps in Lebanon and preventing their residents from entering or leaving as part of proposals he made to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
“We must announce measures against the Palestinian camps and the Syrian presence in Lebanon through closing all camps and refusing to allow anyone to enter or leave them,” the Lebanese politician said.
“I wanted to be clear and frank because we should not use political and diplomatic languages or give preferential treatment these days, given that there are Lebanese who have to be alive,” Geagea added.
Geagea made his call despite there is no single reported case of Coronavirus among Palestinian refugees inside or outside their camps.
Director of UNRWA operations in Gaza Matthias Schmale has said that the UN refugee agency is facing a budget deficit in 2020 totaling about one billion out of $1.4 billion.
In remarks to Anadolu news agency, Schmale UNRWA’s current financial crisis as the worst ever, warning that the refugee agency might have to make tough decisions at the end of April regarding its services if the shortfall in the budget was not covered.
He affirmed that UNRWA could make it only until April or May unless the donor countries had fulfilled their financial commitments.
In August of last year, the US administration halted all financial support for UNRWA, plunging the agency into a major funding crisis. The US has long been the largest single donor to the agency.
In remarks to Anadolu news agency, Schmale UNRWA’s current financial crisis as the worst ever, warning that the refugee agency might have to make tough decisions at the end of April regarding its services if the shortfall in the budget was not covered.
He affirmed that UNRWA could make it only until April or May unless the donor countries had fulfilled their financial commitments.
In August of last year, the US administration halted all financial support for UNRWA, plunging the agency into a major funding crisis. The US has long been the largest single donor to the agency.
2 mar 2020
UNRWA has warned that many of its essential services it provides for Palestinian refugees will be halted if its large budget deficit has not been covered by next May.
“If the agency’s large budget deficit, estimated at one billion and 275 million dollars, has not been covered by next May, many UNRWA service programs will be affected, such as education, health and food distribution, across its five fields of operation,” UNRWA spokesperson Adnan Abu Hasna stated.
“We’ll have to start imposing strict procedures in order for us to continue the work,” Abu Hasna said, describing the agency’s financial position as “very serious” and “unprecedented.”
UNRWA recently launched an appeal for a minimum of $ 1.4 billion to fund its essential services and assistance, including life-saving humanitarian aid and priority projects for 5.6 million registered Palestine refugees across the Middle East for the year 2020.
However, it received only $125 million of the required funds.
“If the agency’s large budget deficit, estimated at one billion and 275 million dollars, has not been covered by next May, many UNRWA service programs will be affected, such as education, health and food distribution, across its five fields of operation,” UNRWA spokesperson Adnan Abu Hasna stated.
“We’ll have to start imposing strict procedures in order for us to continue the work,” Abu Hasna said, describing the agency’s financial position as “very serious” and “unprecedented.”
UNRWA recently launched an appeal for a minimum of $ 1.4 billion to fund its essential services and assistance, including life-saving humanitarian aid and priority projects for 5.6 million registered Palestine refugees across the Middle East for the year 2020.
However, it received only $125 million of the required funds.
12 feb 2020
The government of Japan announced today the provision of new financial aid to the Palestinian people in the amount of $32,764,655 to be granted through international organizations.
It said this new package includes assistance to Palestinian refugees through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), support the urgent protection of marginalized communities through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Women (UNWOMEN), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNMAS), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The assistance also includes the provision of medical supplies through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the World Health Organization (WHO), and support to achieve economic progress through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Office of the International Quartet.
It said this new package includes assistance to Palestinian refugees through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), support the urgent protection of marginalized communities through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Women (UNWOMEN), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNMAS), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The assistance also includes the provision of medical supplies through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the World Health Organization (WHO), and support to achieve economic progress through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Office of the International Quartet.
23 jan 2020
The United Nations relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Middle East (UNRWA) officially opened a new playground at UNRWA's Jalazon Basic Girls School today to mark the visit of the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, Jalazon refugee camp in 2018.
Gwyn Lewis, Director of UNRWA Affairs in the West Bank, and Mohammad Mustafa, Chairman of Board of Directors of the Palestine Investment Fund (PIF), together with the popular committee of Jalazon camp, inaugurated the playground in conjunction with the beginning of the second semester of the scholastic year 2019\2020. The playground inaugurated today was the result of the joint efforts of UNRWA, PIF and the British Consulate General in Jerusalem.
On behalf of Palestine refugees, Lewis, expressed her gratitude to the British Consulate and PIF for their support and work to improve educational facilitates, and the British Royal Household for keeping refugee rights and needs at the top of their public agenda.
For his part, Mustafa said "we are happy with the opening of this playground, as our contribution to its rehabilitation comes as an expression of the PIF commitment to our people everywhere, particularly in refugee camps, and an affirmation of our continued support to improve their living conditions.
The PIF strategy is based on 'impact investing', especially in the entrepreneurial sector, support for emerging and existing projects and investing in strategic sectors, is always supported by our corporate social responsibility policy, which we are proud to see one of its forms here, as is the case in the economic empowerment program for refugees in Palestinian camps in Lebanon, which we are proud of its continuous achievements. We highly appreciate and thank all those who support our refugee communities".
Prince William visited the occupied Palestinian territories on 27 and 28 June 2018, during which he met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and visited the old city of Jerusalem, in addition to his visit to UNRWA's Health Centre and Basic Girls' School in Jalazon camp, Ramallah.
Building on Prince William's visit, the British Consulate General is preparing to host his father, Prince Charles, next Friday in Bethlehem, at the invitation of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. During this visit, he will have the opportunity to hear directly from a wide range of individuals from across Palestinian society, including refugees.
The UK is a long-term supporter of UNRWA and Palestinian refugees, providing £65.5m in 2019 in Gaza, the West Bank and the region. Making the UK one of the top five donors to UNRWA. This support helps UNRWA provide basic services in education, secondary health care and social relief services.
Gwyn Lewis, Director of UNRWA Affairs in the West Bank, and Mohammad Mustafa, Chairman of Board of Directors of the Palestine Investment Fund (PIF), together with the popular committee of Jalazon camp, inaugurated the playground in conjunction with the beginning of the second semester of the scholastic year 2019\2020. The playground inaugurated today was the result of the joint efforts of UNRWA, PIF and the British Consulate General in Jerusalem.
On behalf of Palestine refugees, Lewis, expressed her gratitude to the British Consulate and PIF for their support and work to improve educational facilitates, and the British Royal Household for keeping refugee rights and needs at the top of their public agenda.
For his part, Mustafa said "we are happy with the opening of this playground, as our contribution to its rehabilitation comes as an expression of the PIF commitment to our people everywhere, particularly in refugee camps, and an affirmation of our continued support to improve their living conditions.
The PIF strategy is based on 'impact investing', especially in the entrepreneurial sector, support for emerging and existing projects and investing in strategic sectors, is always supported by our corporate social responsibility policy, which we are proud to see one of its forms here, as is the case in the economic empowerment program for refugees in Palestinian camps in Lebanon, which we are proud of its continuous achievements. We highly appreciate and thank all those who support our refugee communities".
Prince William visited the occupied Palestinian territories on 27 and 28 June 2018, during which he met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and visited the old city of Jerusalem, in addition to his visit to UNRWA's Health Centre and Basic Girls' School in Jalazon camp, Ramallah.
Building on Prince William's visit, the British Consulate General is preparing to host his father, Prince Charles, next Friday in Bethlehem, at the invitation of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. During this visit, he will have the opportunity to hear directly from a wide range of individuals from across Palestinian society, including refugees.
The UK is a long-term supporter of UNRWA and Palestinian refugees, providing £65.5m in 2019 in Gaza, the West Bank and the region. Making the UK one of the top five donors to UNRWA. This support helps UNRWA provide basic services in education, secondary health care and social relief services.
2 jan 2020
The Israeli municipality in Occupied Jerusalem intends to replace UNRWA schools with new ones, in Shu’fat refugee camp and Anata village, affiliated with the Israeli education ministry.
This project, which will cost 7,1 million shekels, has been backed and promoted by chief of the Israeli municipality Moshe Lion with the aim of curtailing the influence and presence of UNRWA in east Jerusalem.
With the help of the US administration, the Israeli occupation state started two years ago a frenzied campaign against UNRWA in an attempt to liquidate the refugee agency and the Palestinian right of return.
UNRWA was established in 1949 after about 700,000 Palestinians were forcibly displaced from their homes by Zionist militias in the run-up to the establishment of the state of Israel.
The agency currently provides services for five million Palestinian refugees in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, as well as Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
The Palestinian natives of east Jerusalem have Israeli residency cards, but they are not Israeli citizens. For decades, they have complained of systematic discrimination by the Israeli occupation authority, especially with regard to municipal services.
This project, which will cost 7,1 million shekels, has been backed and promoted by chief of the Israeli municipality Moshe Lion with the aim of curtailing the influence and presence of UNRWA in east Jerusalem.
With the help of the US administration, the Israeli occupation state started two years ago a frenzied campaign against UNRWA in an attempt to liquidate the refugee agency and the Palestinian right of return.
UNRWA was established in 1949 after about 700,000 Palestinians were forcibly displaced from their homes by Zionist militias in the run-up to the establishment of the state of Israel.
The agency currently provides services for five million Palestinian refugees in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, as well as Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
The Palestinian natives of east Jerusalem have Israeli residency cards, but they are not Israeli citizens. For decades, they have complained of systematic discrimination by the Israeli occupation authority, especially with regard to municipal services.
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