Statement by UNRWA Commissioner-General Karen Koning AbuZayd UNHCR conference on "Addressing the Humanitarian Needs of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons inside Iraq and Neighbouring Countries Geneva, 18 April 2007

I very much welcome the opportunity to participate in this timely conference. I shall speak specifically to the issue of Palestinians in Iraq and those who have fled from that country.

UNRWA’s activities are devoted to the provision of basic public and emergency services to Palestine refugees in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and the occupied Palestinian territory. Ours is a humanitarian and human development agency with long experience of dealing with the disastrous effects of violence in the region. As such, we cannot escape being gravely concerned about the circumstances of Palestinians who have recently fled Iraq, as well as those who remain behind to face the continuing mayhem.

The roles of UNRWA and UNHCR are distinct, yet mutually reinforcing in practice. This complementary relationship has been amply demonstrated through joint action, working hand-in-hand with other agencies as well, to assist Palestinians who have been able to move from Iraq to Syria and Jordan.

At the moment, UNRWA is providing assistance to several of these groups. They are living in miserable conditions that can, and should, be urgently improved, with the help and support of governments in and beyond the region.

• The 350 Palestinians at Al-Tanf on the border between Iraq and Syria receive education in tented schools and dental services from UNRWA. This is a severely inhospitable location where living conditions are grim.

• Some of the 303 Palestinians who were allowed into Syria in May last year and are residing in a UNHCR camp at El-Hol, benefit from UNRWA’s computer training and sewing workshops.

• A further 400 Palestinians from Iraq inside Syria have been registered for assistance from UNRWA in the past year. They are taking advantage of our normal health, education and relief services.

• In Jordan, only 35 Palestinian families from Iraq have found it necessary to register for UNRWA services, while we provide some basic assistance to 95 Palestinians who have been languishing in Ruwaishid camp on the border since 2003.

Although few in comparison to the number of Iraqis displaced or out of the country, Palestinians in and from Iraq, including the 15,000 trapped in Baghdad and targeted because of their ethnicity, are clearly identifiable as people who, until now, have "nowhere to go."

• Only Palestinians, it seems, remain "stuck" on the borders;

• Only Palestinians have been refused entry into neighbouring countries and to other countries in the region where they might find refuge—even refused the opportunity to take advantage of the Palestinian Authority’s invitation to come to the West Bank or Gaza;

• And apart from a group of 65 resettled to a third country from Jordan, only Palestinians appear to have no possibility of achieving even a temporary solution to their desperate plight.

We are mindful of the political dimensions of this issue. But we also remain firmly of the view that these people, many of whom would meet the criteria to be registered with UNRWA, should be given the opportunity to escape their suffering, to live in safety and dignity, like others fleeing persecution.

I call on you, as representatives of concerned governments not to overlook Palestinians when you focus on the larger drama of Iraqis who have fled abroad or been displaced internally. Addressing the needs of this small number of persons in dire need should be an integral part of collective efforts to meet the formidable challenges that Iraq presents to the region and the wider world.

Within the limits of its mandate, and in collaboration with UNHCR and other agencies, UNRWA is prepared to play its part. I hope—and trust—that others will join us to confront this challenge.