9 dec 2018
By Al-Zaytouna Center
Summary:
After successive security tensions in more than one refugee camp (RC) in Lebanon, high level US-Israeli cooperation that led to the declaration of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and ending US aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Palestinian presence in Lebanon was again under political and security threat. Fears for the future of the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon emerged, for the security conditions in the RCs may worsen, leading to their destruction and the displacement of refugees, while naturalization-related solutions may be imposed.
The consequence of any security deterioration scenario will have a negative impact on the future of refugees and on the Lebanese state. Therefore, the best solution lies in an urgent political approach, establishing a Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue, adhering to the right of return and rejecting naturalization, removing security measures around the RCs, and holding the international community accountable.
Introduction
In 2018, Palestinian RCs in Lebanon witnessed security decline and armed clashes causing huge human and material losses, opening the door for approaching perils, threatening the Palestinian presence in Lebanon. Many questions were asked whether these events were linked to the international, regional and local developments, which may be directly connected to the future of the Palestine issue and its concerns, such as the refugees and their right of return, and what is the role of many political parties in the practical participation in ending these issues.
First: Security Incidents
During the past few months, in the summer and fall of 2018, armed clashes erupted in Mieh Mieh RC, east of Saida city in southern Lebanon, between the Palestinian Authority (PA) affiliated Palestinian National Security and Ansarullah group headed by Jamal Suleiman. Many houses and properties were destroyed in the clashes, a member of the Palestinian National Security was killed, while most of the RC residents were displaced.
After more than two weeks of clashes, the fighting ended in a ceasefire, and Suleiman, along with other fighters, left the RC. However, these clashes reminded of other displacement events and the destruction of other RCs. They renewed the Palestinian and Lebanese fears of repeating the violent events that occurred 30 years ago.
Before the Mieh Mieh RC clashes, other armed clashes erupted in al-Tireh neighborhood in Ein El Hilweh RC, situated near Saida city in southern Lebanon. The fighting was between the Fatah movement and the group of Bilal Bader, who is accused of killing several cadres of the Fatah movement. The neighborhood was destroyed and its residents were displaced.
The Rashidieh RC witnessed clashes over drug trafficking, but these were also linked to everything that targets the Palestinian presence in Lebanon.
Second: Political Reasons
There are political reasons that reinforced the threats that target the Palestinian presence in Lebanon, the most important of which are:
1. The US-Israeli deep cooperation between the Trump administration and Netanyahu’s government, which led the former to take decisions contrary to international agreements related to the Palestine issue. For the Trump administration recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and then ended its aid to UNRWA.
2. The US cut off its UNRWA funding, targeting the Palestinian refugees and their existence, leading to the abolition of RCs, dropping the right of return and the termination of UNRWA’s services.
3. It appears that there is a joint US-Israeli approach to end the Palestine issue, prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state, and accelerate the normalization of ties between Israel and the Arab countries.
4. The difficult political, economic and security situations in some Arab countries, which are trying to escape their various crises by more rapprochement with the Israeli government, and by agreeing to end the Palestine issue. The shy Arab reaction to the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is an example of this rapprochement.
Third: Domestic Factors
There are domestic factors that reinforce the risks to the future of the Palestinian presence in Lebanon, the most important of which:
1. An officially-backed Palestinian faction brought large quantities of weapons and ammunition to the RCs, which were used in the Mieh Mieh battles.
2. During one year, some US generals made three tours of Ein El Hilweh and Mieh Mieh RCs, amid talk of US efforts to remove these camps, as a prelude to removing the rest.
3. Waves of mass-emigration of Palestinian refugees from Lebanon, through organized channels.
4. The results of the census of Palestinian refugees, carried out by the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee, revealed that there are 174 thousand refugees living in Lebanon. These numbers are much different than those of UNRWA (530 thousand), and those of some Lebanese and Palestinian parties (300 thousand).
5. The sharp reduction of UNRWA services, including education, health and relief and social services.
6. PA President Mahmud Abbas announced more than once PA’s willingness to hand over the weapons of the RCs, and to cooperate with the Lebanese government by handing it the management of the camps.
7. The strict security measures taken by the Lebanese authorities towards the RCs, such as building a separation wall around Ein El Hilweh, installing electric gates, and building another wall around Rashidieh RC.
8. Information reached more than one Palestinian side, that the Lebanese government desires, in the next few months, to deploy units of the Lebanese army in all the RCs’ neighborhoods, located outside the recognized geographic area.
Fourth: Possible Scenarios
First Scenario: Clashes inside the RCs
Deliberately starting clashes in more than one RC that would lead in the end to destroying neighborhoods inside the camps and forcing people to emigrate. The camps that are most likely to witness such clashes are: Ein El Hilweh, Mieh Mieh, Rashidieh and Beddawi RCs. Clashes would be started between PA’s national security and other current groups or groups being established to fulfill this objective under the titles of “countering terrorism” or “extremism.” Regardless of PA’s declared slogans or wishes, various forms of tension and escalation could be destructive to the RCs and the Palestinian future in Lebanon.
Second Scenario: Organized Emigration
Organized emigration is considered a great threat facing the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, through organized deportations or facilitating emigration from Lebanon, free of charge or at material costs, which would result in decreasing the number of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. Actually, in one year, around two thousand Palestinian refugees emigrated or had their emigration facilitated.
Third Scenario: Naturalization of Refugees
This scenario is based on the idea that in the end, and after the majority of Palestinians have emigrated, and under international and regional pressure, the Lebanese authorities would issue laws to naturalize the rest of the Palestinian refugees living in Lebanon, under social and humanitarian pretenses. This method was used with some sectors after the Madrid Conference of 1991. It is said that the economic hardship in Lebanon along with international pressure could facilitate such a scenario.
Probable Scenario:
The first scenario is the most probable, for PA-affiliated parties are still pushing conditions toward reaching a crisis. However, the second scenario is a continuous one, albeit with a different rhythm, which increased noticeably during the past few months. As for the naturalization scenario, it is still unlikely in the present circumstances, for the main Lebanese parties are still strongly against it, and the Palestinians themselves are concerned with their civil and humanitarian legal rights and not with naturalization.
The year 2019 is expected to be an important year for the future of the issue of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, considered one of the most difficult issues facing those who want to liquidate it. For Palestinian refugees in Lebanon are free to be politically active, they suffer difficult humanitarian conditions, and the RCs’ existence all over Lebanon.
Fifth: Conclusion
The threats facing the Palestinian presence in Lebanon are real and difficult, and any security deterioration in the RCs is dangerous and rejected by most Palestinian factions, and it will cause considerable damage to the Lebanese society.
The issue of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon is political par excellence, and it’s better to deal with it as such, especially that the clash method was bad for all who used it, bringing losses to all. Palestinian forces in Lebanon must collectively prevent fighting between Palestinians, or between the Palestinians and the Lebanese. The Lebanese officials and parties must work to avoid such security tensions as well.
Sixth: Recommendations
1. Unifying the Palestinian stance to protect the Palestinian presence in Lebanon, provide security and stability, protect the right of return, and reject naturalization and displacement.
2. Conducting an urgent Palestinian-Lebanese dialogue to agree politically on the mutual relationship and prevent any form of violence.
3. Agreeing with the Lebanese government on the refugees’ right of return and rejecting naturalization and displacement.
4. Forging a Lebanese-Palestinian understanding on the human and social rights of refugees.
5. Pressuring the UNRWA and the international community to fulfill their duty to the refugees.
6. Removing security measures around the RCs and dealing with the social problems.
7. Forming a joint Palestinian security force to maintain security inside the RCs.
Conducting an urgent and comprehensive Palestinian-Lebanese dialogue will pave the way to avoid security tensions, distance the danger of foreign intervention, and protect Palestinian presence in Lebanon. It does not preclude state authority and places social responsibility at the international level.
- Source: Al-Zaytouna Center for Studies and Consultations.
Summary:
After successive security tensions in more than one refugee camp (RC) in Lebanon, high level US-Israeli cooperation that led to the declaration of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and ending US aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Palestinian presence in Lebanon was again under political and security threat. Fears for the future of the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon emerged, for the security conditions in the RCs may worsen, leading to their destruction and the displacement of refugees, while naturalization-related solutions may be imposed.
The consequence of any security deterioration scenario will have a negative impact on the future of refugees and on the Lebanese state. Therefore, the best solution lies in an urgent political approach, establishing a Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue, adhering to the right of return and rejecting naturalization, removing security measures around the RCs, and holding the international community accountable.
Introduction
In 2018, Palestinian RCs in Lebanon witnessed security decline and armed clashes causing huge human and material losses, opening the door for approaching perils, threatening the Palestinian presence in Lebanon. Many questions were asked whether these events were linked to the international, regional and local developments, which may be directly connected to the future of the Palestine issue and its concerns, such as the refugees and their right of return, and what is the role of many political parties in the practical participation in ending these issues.
First: Security Incidents
During the past few months, in the summer and fall of 2018, armed clashes erupted in Mieh Mieh RC, east of Saida city in southern Lebanon, between the Palestinian Authority (PA) affiliated Palestinian National Security and Ansarullah group headed by Jamal Suleiman. Many houses and properties were destroyed in the clashes, a member of the Palestinian National Security was killed, while most of the RC residents were displaced.
After more than two weeks of clashes, the fighting ended in a ceasefire, and Suleiman, along with other fighters, left the RC. However, these clashes reminded of other displacement events and the destruction of other RCs. They renewed the Palestinian and Lebanese fears of repeating the violent events that occurred 30 years ago.
Before the Mieh Mieh RC clashes, other armed clashes erupted in al-Tireh neighborhood in Ein El Hilweh RC, situated near Saida city in southern Lebanon. The fighting was between the Fatah movement and the group of Bilal Bader, who is accused of killing several cadres of the Fatah movement. The neighborhood was destroyed and its residents were displaced.
The Rashidieh RC witnessed clashes over drug trafficking, but these were also linked to everything that targets the Palestinian presence in Lebanon.
Second: Political Reasons
There are political reasons that reinforced the threats that target the Palestinian presence in Lebanon, the most important of which are:
1. The US-Israeli deep cooperation between the Trump administration and Netanyahu’s government, which led the former to take decisions contrary to international agreements related to the Palestine issue. For the Trump administration recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and then ended its aid to UNRWA.
2. The US cut off its UNRWA funding, targeting the Palestinian refugees and their existence, leading to the abolition of RCs, dropping the right of return and the termination of UNRWA’s services.
3. It appears that there is a joint US-Israeli approach to end the Palestine issue, prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state, and accelerate the normalization of ties between Israel and the Arab countries.
4. The difficult political, economic and security situations in some Arab countries, which are trying to escape their various crises by more rapprochement with the Israeli government, and by agreeing to end the Palestine issue. The shy Arab reaction to the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is an example of this rapprochement.
Third: Domestic Factors
There are domestic factors that reinforce the risks to the future of the Palestinian presence in Lebanon, the most important of which:
1. An officially-backed Palestinian faction brought large quantities of weapons and ammunition to the RCs, which were used in the Mieh Mieh battles.
2. During one year, some US generals made three tours of Ein El Hilweh and Mieh Mieh RCs, amid talk of US efforts to remove these camps, as a prelude to removing the rest.
3. Waves of mass-emigration of Palestinian refugees from Lebanon, through organized channels.
4. The results of the census of Palestinian refugees, carried out by the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee, revealed that there are 174 thousand refugees living in Lebanon. These numbers are much different than those of UNRWA (530 thousand), and those of some Lebanese and Palestinian parties (300 thousand).
5. The sharp reduction of UNRWA services, including education, health and relief and social services.
6. PA President Mahmud Abbas announced more than once PA’s willingness to hand over the weapons of the RCs, and to cooperate with the Lebanese government by handing it the management of the camps.
7. The strict security measures taken by the Lebanese authorities towards the RCs, such as building a separation wall around Ein El Hilweh, installing electric gates, and building another wall around Rashidieh RC.
8. Information reached more than one Palestinian side, that the Lebanese government desires, in the next few months, to deploy units of the Lebanese army in all the RCs’ neighborhoods, located outside the recognized geographic area.
Fourth: Possible Scenarios
First Scenario: Clashes inside the RCs
Deliberately starting clashes in more than one RC that would lead in the end to destroying neighborhoods inside the camps and forcing people to emigrate. The camps that are most likely to witness such clashes are: Ein El Hilweh, Mieh Mieh, Rashidieh and Beddawi RCs. Clashes would be started between PA’s national security and other current groups or groups being established to fulfill this objective under the titles of “countering terrorism” or “extremism.” Regardless of PA’s declared slogans or wishes, various forms of tension and escalation could be destructive to the RCs and the Palestinian future in Lebanon.
Second Scenario: Organized Emigration
Organized emigration is considered a great threat facing the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, through organized deportations or facilitating emigration from Lebanon, free of charge or at material costs, which would result in decreasing the number of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. Actually, in one year, around two thousand Palestinian refugees emigrated or had their emigration facilitated.
Third Scenario: Naturalization of Refugees
This scenario is based on the idea that in the end, and after the majority of Palestinians have emigrated, and under international and regional pressure, the Lebanese authorities would issue laws to naturalize the rest of the Palestinian refugees living in Lebanon, under social and humanitarian pretenses. This method was used with some sectors after the Madrid Conference of 1991. It is said that the economic hardship in Lebanon along with international pressure could facilitate such a scenario.
Probable Scenario:
The first scenario is the most probable, for PA-affiliated parties are still pushing conditions toward reaching a crisis. However, the second scenario is a continuous one, albeit with a different rhythm, which increased noticeably during the past few months. As for the naturalization scenario, it is still unlikely in the present circumstances, for the main Lebanese parties are still strongly against it, and the Palestinians themselves are concerned with their civil and humanitarian legal rights and not with naturalization.
The year 2019 is expected to be an important year for the future of the issue of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, considered one of the most difficult issues facing those who want to liquidate it. For Palestinian refugees in Lebanon are free to be politically active, they suffer difficult humanitarian conditions, and the RCs’ existence all over Lebanon.
Fifth: Conclusion
The threats facing the Palestinian presence in Lebanon are real and difficult, and any security deterioration in the RCs is dangerous and rejected by most Palestinian factions, and it will cause considerable damage to the Lebanese society.
The issue of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon is political par excellence, and it’s better to deal with it as such, especially that the clash method was bad for all who used it, bringing losses to all. Palestinian forces in Lebanon must collectively prevent fighting between Palestinians, or between the Palestinians and the Lebanese. The Lebanese officials and parties must work to avoid such security tensions as well.
Sixth: Recommendations
1. Unifying the Palestinian stance to protect the Palestinian presence in Lebanon, provide security and stability, protect the right of return, and reject naturalization and displacement.
2. Conducting an urgent Palestinian-Lebanese dialogue to agree politically on the mutual relationship and prevent any form of violence.
3. Agreeing with the Lebanese government on the refugees’ right of return and rejecting naturalization and displacement.
4. Forging a Lebanese-Palestinian understanding on the human and social rights of refugees.
5. Pressuring the UNRWA and the international community to fulfill their duty to the refugees.
6. Removing security measures around the RCs and dealing with the social problems.
7. Forming a joint Palestinian security force to maintain security inside the RCs.
Conducting an urgent and comprehensive Palestinian-Lebanese dialogue will pave the way to avoid security tensions, distance the danger of foreign intervention, and protect Palestinian presence in Lebanon. It does not preclude state authority and places social responsibility at the international level.
- Source: Al-Zaytouna Center for Studies and Consultations.
7 dec 2018
The Euro- Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor called on the Algerian authorities to assume their responsibility in protecting Palestinian asylum seekers who arrived in Algeria from the blockaded Gaza Strip at the beginning of last October.
According to a statement issued by Euro-Med HRM, the Algerian authorities “have detained since last October Palestinian asylum seekers at a refugee camp located in Tamanrasset Province, southern Algeria, and informed them that they will be deported to Gaza through Egypt, which may expose them to serious abuses and violates their rights as asylum seekers.”
Euro-Med HRM indicated that the refugees, estimated to be 53, including children, “arrived in Algeria illegally after they had left the Gaza Strip, and crossed Egypt till they arrived in Mauritania. Afterwards, they were smuggled from the Mauritanian territories to the Sahara of Mali. They went on a perilous trip, which lasted seven days until they reached the Algerian borders on 1 October.”
The human rights organization quoted one of the refugees, whose identity was kept anonymous, saying: “When we left Gaza and crossed Egypt, we went to Mauritania, as Mauritanian authorities did not require Palestinians to get a visa. After a while, we headed toward the Sahara of Mali, where the journey of our suffering lasted for a week, as we were stripped off all our belongings and robbed by bandits. Consequently, we had no other choice but to eat dead animals so that we can survive.”
Euro-Med HRM stated that the Algerian authorities had taken the fingerprints of these asylum seekers and brought them to trial for illegally entering the country. They were sentenced to three months suspended imprisonment, with a period to settle their problematic situation.
However, “the refugees were placed in a refugee camp, and they were prevented from moving freely. They were recently informed of the authorities’ intention to deport them to the Gaza Strip through Egypt,” he added.
The same eyewitness, who was among the detained refugees, described his fellows’ situation saying: “We are now incarcerated in caravans within a shelter surrounded by barbed wire. In the morning they give us milk, and later they bring lunch and dinner together. The guards do not let us go out to buy anything, and if we want to buy something from outside the camp, the guards are the ones who buy it for us, but at double prices.”
Sarah Pritchett, the spokeswoman for Euro-Med HRM, stressed that “Algeria must commit itself to the principle of non-refoulement as a customary principle of the international law, which stipulates that refugees should not be expelled in any way to the borders of countries in which their lives and freedom are at risk.”
Pritchett also asserted that “the Algerian authorities treat these asylum seekers collectively, without any regard to the specificity of their cases, which need to be examined individually to conclude the eligibility of each refugee for asylum. Such a method of handling the situation violates the standards set forth by the international human rights law.”
The spokeswoman for Euro-Med HRM added: “It is true that these refugees entered Algeria illegally, but the court decided to release them, and the Algerian authorities must abide by the court order and not mistreat them or continue detaining them unnecessarily.”
According to a statement issued by Euro-Med HRM, the Algerian authorities “have detained since last October Palestinian asylum seekers at a refugee camp located in Tamanrasset Province, southern Algeria, and informed them that they will be deported to Gaza through Egypt, which may expose them to serious abuses and violates their rights as asylum seekers.”
Euro-Med HRM indicated that the refugees, estimated to be 53, including children, “arrived in Algeria illegally after they had left the Gaza Strip, and crossed Egypt till they arrived in Mauritania. Afterwards, they were smuggled from the Mauritanian territories to the Sahara of Mali. They went on a perilous trip, which lasted seven days until they reached the Algerian borders on 1 October.”
The human rights organization quoted one of the refugees, whose identity was kept anonymous, saying: “When we left Gaza and crossed Egypt, we went to Mauritania, as Mauritanian authorities did not require Palestinians to get a visa. After a while, we headed toward the Sahara of Mali, where the journey of our suffering lasted for a week, as we were stripped off all our belongings and robbed by bandits. Consequently, we had no other choice but to eat dead animals so that we can survive.”
Euro-Med HRM stated that the Algerian authorities had taken the fingerprints of these asylum seekers and brought them to trial for illegally entering the country. They were sentenced to three months suspended imprisonment, with a period to settle their problematic situation.
However, “the refugees were placed in a refugee camp, and they were prevented from moving freely. They were recently informed of the authorities’ intention to deport them to the Gaza Strip through Egypt,” he added.
The same eyewitness, who was among the detained refugees, described his fellows’ situation saying: “We are now incarcerated in caravans within a shelter surrounded by barbed wire. In the morning they give us milk, and later they bring lunch and dinner together. The guards do not let us go out to buy anything, and if we want to buy something from outside the camp, the guards are the ones who buy it for us, but at double prices.”
Sarah Pritchett, the spokeswoman for Euro-Med HRM, stressed that “Algeria must commit itself to the principle of non-refoulement as a customary principle of the international law, which stipulates that refugees should not be expelled in any way to the borders of countries in which their lives and freedom are at risk.”
Pritchett also asserted that “the Algerian authorities treat these asylum seekers collectively, without any regard to the specificity of their cases, which need to be examined individually to conclude the eligibility of each refugee for asylum. Such a method of handling the situation violates the standards set forth by the international human rights law.”
The spokeswoman for Euro-Med HRM added: “It is true that these refugees entered Algeria illegally, but the court decided to release them, and the Algerian authorities must abide by the court order and not mistreat them or continue detaining them unnecessarily.”
2 dec 2018
UNRWA has reported that almost all its installations in the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk, near Damascus, as well as the Dera’a camp in the South of Syria sustained considerable damage or destruction in the war-torn country.
According to a damage assessment report released on Saturday by the agency, there are 23 UNRWA premises including 16 schools in Yarmouk and almost all of them need major repairs.
75 percent of those premises need to be rebuilt and all three of the agency’s health centers in Yarmouk are completely destroyed.
In Dera’a camp, only one distribution center has been left untouched. The other six installations, including three school buildings and a clinic will need substantial repairs.
Despite the huge damage and lack of basic infrastructure, the report said, some people have already started to return to Dera’a camp.
Dera’a camp was home to 10,000 Palestinian refugees before 2011. So far, 400 families have returned since the government retook control in July 2018.
Yarmouk was home to about 160,000 Palestinian refugees before the conflict. Like in Dera’a, the vast majority of houses have been affected and all basic infrastructure has been destroyed.
According to a damage assessment report released on Saturday by the agency, there are 23 UNRWA premises including 16 schools in Yarmouk and almost all of them need major repairs.
75 percent of those premises need to be rebuilt and all three of the agency’s health centers in Yarmouk are completely destroyed.
In Dera’a camp, only one distribution center has been left untouched. The other six installations, including three school buildings and a clinic will need substantial repairs.
Despite the huge damage and lack of basic infrastructure, the report said, some people have already started to return to Dera’a camp.
Dera’a camp was home to 10,000 Palestinian refugees before 2011. So far, 400 families have returned since the government retook control in July 2018.
Yarmouk was home to about 160,000 Palestinian refugees before the conflict. Like in Dera’a, the vast majority of houses have been affected and all basic infrastructure has been destroyed.
28 nov 2018
Saudi Arabia announced, on Wednesday, it will contribute $50 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
During a press conference, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Rabiah, the Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), told the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Pierre Krahenbuhl, about the contribution.
UNRWA has faced a financial crisis this past year after the United States announced in mid-January the reduction of financial support to UNRWA from $350 million to $60 million, in order "to urge the Palestinians to resume negotiations with Israel."
The contributions from the U.S. made up a third of the agency's budget, according to UNRWA's website.
During a press conference, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Rabiah, the Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), told the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Pierre Krahenbuhl, about the contribution.
UNRWA has faced a financial crisis this past year after the United States announced in mid-January the reduction of financial support to UNRWA from $350 million to $60 million, in order "to urge the Palestinians to resume negotiations with Israel."
The contributions from the U.S. made up a third of the agency's budget, according to UNRWA's website.
22 nov 2018
Addressing the delegates at the Advisory Commission of host governments and leading donors of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Pierre Krähenbühl, applauded the resolve and creativity with which the agency and the international community addressed its “greatest financial predicament ever.”
Krähenbühl thanked the many partners who “rose to the occasion” to help, collectively, to reduce the staggering shortfall of $446 million, at the start of this year, and said, “Today, I am very pleased to announce that, overall, since January, donors contributed or pledged an additional $425 million, bringing our shortfall down to $21 million.”
He explained that, in response to this year’s financial crisis, UNRWA launched a global campaign called #DignityIsPriceless, bringing about a renewed spirit of multi-lateral cooperation.
He continued, according to Ma’an, “The collective mobilization is deeper and broader than we’ve seen in decades, accompanied by diplomatic engagement at the highest level,” referring to 40 Member States and institutions who either increased support or gave new pledges.
Krähenbühl stressed, “When we were able to open the 711 UNRWA schools on time, it was a moment of pure and simple celebration. We celebrated the preservation of the right to education for 530,000 girls and boys, from Aleppo to Rafah in the Gaza Strip.”
He also mentioned that UNRWA and its partners contributed to “one of the most successful human development processes for a refugee community in recent history.”
Krähenbühl thanked the many partners who “rose to the occasion” to help, collectively, to reduce the staggering shortfall of $446 million, at the start of this year, and said, “Today, I am very pleased to announce that, overall, since January, donors contributed or pledged an additional $425 million, bringing our shortfall down to $21 million.”
He explained that, in response to this year’s financial crisis, UNRWA launched a global campaign called #DignityIsPriceless, bringing about a renewed spirit of multi-lateral cooperation.
He continued, according to Ma’an, “The collective mobilization is deeper and broader than we’ve seen in decades, accompanied by diplomatic engagement at the highest level,” referring to 40 Member States and institutions who either increased support or gave new pledges.
Krähenbühl stressed, “When we were able to open the 711 UNRWA schools on time, it was a moment of pure and simple celebration. We celebrated the preservation of the right to education for 530,000 girls and boys, from Aleppo to Rafah in the Gaza Strip.”
He also mentioned that UNRWA and its partners contributed to “one of the most successful human development processes for a refugee community in recent history.”
20 nov 2018
Hamas voiced hopes that the Turkey-chaired meeting of UNRWA Advisory Commission, which was held on Monday in Amman, will live up to the demands of the Palestinian people, particularly the refugees.
In a statement issued on Monday, Hamas called on the UN Advisory Commission to work on reinforce the refugees’ struggle in the face of the challenges and schemes weaved against the Palestinian cause and the refugees’ dilemma.
The Palestinian resistance movement also expressed hope that the services provided to Palestinian refugees be enhanced in order to help them enjoy a decent life until they return to their homeland, from which they were forced out by the Israeli occupation, as per the international resolutions in this regard.
In a statement issued on Monday, Hamas called on the UN Advisory Commission to work on reinforce the refugees’ struggle in the face of the challenges and schemes weaved against the Palestinian cause and the refugees’ dilemma.
The Palestinian resistance movement also expressed hope that the services provided to Palestinian refugees be enhanced in order to help them enjoy a decent life until they return to their homeland, from which they were forced out by the Israeli occupation, as per the international resolutions in this regard.
15 nov 2018
Kuwait announced on Wednesday a contribution of an additional $42,100,000 to UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, according to Kuwait News Agency.
UNRWA has complained of a financial crisis since the US, the largest contributor to the organization, announced in August that it would end its $350 million a year funding for the agency.
The permanent mission of the State of Kuwait to the UN informed, on Wednesday, the General Secretariat of the Arab League of transferring $42,100,000 to the account of the permanent delegation of the State of Kuwait in New York so that it would transfer it to UNRWA in fulfillment of its pledge to donate that amount during the UNRWA Support Conference that was held in New York in late September.
The State of Kuwait had already offered a donation of $8,000,000 to UNRWA during the Rome Conference that was held on March 15, 2018, making its total contribution to the agency in 2018 $5, 000,000.
UNRWA has complained of a financial crisis since the US, the largest contributor to the organization, announced in August that it would end its $350 million a year funding for the agency.
The permanent mission of the State of Kuwait to the UN informed, on Wednesday, the General Secretariat of the Arab League of transferring $42,100,000 to the account of the permanent delegation of the State of Kuwait in New York so that it would transfer it to UNRWA in fulfillment of its pledge to donate that amount during the UNRWA Support Conference that was held in New York in late September.
The State of Kuwait had already offered a donation of $8,000,000 to UNRWA during the Rome Conference that was held on March 15, 2018, making its total contribution to the agency in 2018 $5, 000,000.
7 nov 2018
Palestinians from Syria in Deir Ballout Camp, on the Syrian-Turkish borders, continue to rally for the second month, protesting their abject living conditions and lack of vital services in the poorly-equipped camp.
The displaced refugees appealed to the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and NGOs to secure their safe access to Turkey and grant them a safer shelter away from the so-called “Snakes Valley”.
“The safety of our children depends on you”, said the refugees, addressing Erdogan.
They further called on the international community and human rights NGOs to rally round them.
350 Palestinian families who have sought shelter in Deir Ballout Camp after they were displaced from Yarmouk Camp, south of Damascus, and 75 other families taking refuge in al-Shabiba refugee camp, in Izaz, in Aleppo’s outskirts, have been struggling for survival in the poverty-stricken area.
The displaced refugees appealed to the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and NGOs to secure their safe access to Turkey and grant them a safer shelter away from the so-called “Snakes Valley”.
“The safety of our children depends on you”, said the refugees, addressing Erdogan.
They further called on the international community and human rights NGOs to rally round them.
350 Palestinian families who have sought shelter in Deir Ballout Camp after they were displaced from Yarmouk Camp, south of Damascus, and 75 other families taking refuge in al-Shabiba refugee camp, in Izaz, in Aleppo’s outskirts, have been struggling for survival in the poverty-stricken area.
2 nov 2018
The Balfour Declaration is null and void and it is a promise made by he who does not own to those who do not deserve,” Hamas's Department of Refugee Affairs (DRA) stated on Friday.
In a press release, the office confirmed that Palestinian refugees’ right to return to their homeland, from which they were forced out in 1948 by Zionist gangs, is not a bargaining chip, adding that this right is sacred for all Palestinian refugees.
“The Palestinian people will not accept partial solutions, such as resettling the refugees in neighboring countries,” the Hamas Refugee Division stressed.
It underscored the option of resistance as the only strategic choice by which the Palestinians can end the occupation, restore their rights, and liberate their holy sites.
Hamas Refugee Department called for protecting the rights of Palestinian refugees everywhere across the globe and to grant them a decent and secure life.
It further called on the Palestinian people to stand on guard in their anti-occupation struggle, urging the Arab and Islamic nations to stand by the Palestinians and speak up for their just cause.
The Refugee Department hailed the Palestinian people in the occupied West Bank, occupied Jerusalem, blockaded Gaza, and the diaspora for standing as bulletproof vests to every single inch of their land and holy sites.
In a press release, the office confirmed that Palestinian refugees’ right to return to their homeland, from which they were forced out in 1948 by Zionist gangs, is not a bargaining chip, adding that this right is sacred for all Palestinian refugees.
“The Palestinian people will not accept partial solutions, such as resettling the refugees in neighboring countries,” the Hamas Refugee Division stressed.
It underscored the option of resistance as the only strategic choice by which the Palestinians can end the occupation, restore their rights, and liberate their holy sites.
Hamas Refugee Department called for protecting the rights of Palestinian refugees everywhere across the globe and to grant them a decent and secure life.
It further called on the Palestinian people to stand on guard in their anti-occupation struggle, urging the Arab and Islamic nations to stand by the Palestinians and speak up for their just cause.
The Refugee Department hailed the Palestinian people in the occupied West Bank, occupied Jerusalem, blockaded Gaza, and the diaspora for standing as bulletproof vests to every single inch of their land and holy sites.
