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PRESS RELEASE
30 September 2009
UNRWA Commissioner-General ends
farewell visit to Syria
Damascus, 30 September 2009
UNRWA Commissioner-General, Karen Koning AbuZayd,
made her last official visit to Syria as UNRWA’s Commissioner-General.
"I feel very proud to have served as
Commissioner-General of this great organization for the past five years,
working towards improving Palestine refugees’ lives" said Ms. AbuZayd
earlier in the day. "…and I feel especially grateful to the Syrian
people and government for always lending a helpful hand to us".
During her three-day visit, Ms. AbuZayd held meetings
with Government’s Ministers. Talks focused on current and future
challenges facing the Agency and the Government’s critical role in
supporting the Agency’s work.
Ms. AbuZayd singled out Mr. Ali Mustafa,
Director-General of the General Authority for Palestinian Arab Refugees,
for "his unwaivering commitment to the rights of Palestine refugees, and
for his on-going support to, and genuine interest in UNRWA’s activities,
particularly those targeting the most vulnerable members of the
community."
In Aleppo on 28 September, Ms. AbuZayd inaugurated the first phase of
the Neirab Rehabilitation Project, one of the most ambitious shelter
rehabilitation projects undertaken by UNRWA in Syria. This was followed
on 29 September with the inauguration of facilities in Sbeineh Camp,
financed with donations from the Governments of Germany and the United
States, and the United Arab Emirates Red Crescent Society, and
attendance at the 2009 Global Peace Games for Children and Youth held at
the Palestinian Athletics City, Yarmouk.
In a meeting with UNRWA staff, Ms. AbuZayd
highlighted her deep appreciation to for all the support given during
her term recognizing that UNRWA’s best asset is its human capital.
Karen Koning AbuZayd has served as UNRWA’s
Commissioner-General since June 2005 and as its Deputy
Commissioner-General from 2000-2005. She will step down at the end of
this year.
For information only Not an official record
For further information please contact:
Hala Mukhles
Office: 6133035 ext 314
Mobile: 0940888103 |