Liechtenstein donation to UNRWA for Palestine refugees – UNRWA press release

Liechtenstein donates over USD 100,000 to UNRWA for Palestine refugees

21 May 2012
Jerusalem

Continuing its support for Palestine refugees, Liechtenstein announced today that it will contribute USD 109,231 (100,000 Swiss francs) to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

“We are grateful for this contribution to our core programme budget”, said Filippo Grandi, Commissioner-General of UNRWA. “At a time of economic challenges – both for the Palestine refugees we serve and for our donors – Liechtenstein’s continued support is especially appreciated.”

Martin Frick, Director of the Office for Foreign Affairs of Liechtenstein, expressed his country’s commitment to UNRWA’s work: “As active members of the international community, our government is committed to providing assistance and protection to Palestine refugees, pending a just and durable solution to their plight. Our ongoing support for UNRWA’s human development programmes is offered in the spirit of solidarity from the people of Liechtenstein.”

The voluntary donation to the Agency’s core programme budget will support a range of programmes for Palestine refugees, such as the education of nearly 500,000 students in UNRWA schools, medical consultations for more than 10 million patients every year, and food and cash support for the approximately 300,000 Palestine refugees living in extreme poverty.

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Background information:

UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.

For more information, please contact:

Christopher Gunness
UNRWA Spokesperson
Mobile: +972 (0)54 240 2659
Office: +972 (0)2 589 0267
c.gunness@unrwa.org

Sami Mshasha
UNRWA Arabic Spokesperson
Mobile: +972 (0)54 216 8295
Office: +972 (0)2 589 0724
s.mshasha@unrwa.org