UNRWA OPENS NEW SCHOOL IN NUZHA
22 September 2015
The Director of UNRWA Operations in Jordan Roger Davies and the Ambassador of the United States of America to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Alice Wells opened today the newly constructed American-funded school in Nuzha.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Ambassador Wells said: “Education is a cornerstone of the essential services that UNRWA provides to 120,000 Palestinians refugees students in Jordan, and more than 500,000 in this region. The United States government is proud to be a part of this effort.”
The newly constructed school follows the latest UNRWA standards and replaces three unsafe buildings. The three old school buildings were constructed some 50 years ago on a large compound adjacent to the Agency’s area office. Signs of dilapidation were clearly visible. A number of outbuilding facilities were located in the same compound to house the science laboratory and other school activities, some of which were not in use due to the severity of the deterioration.
Thanking the US Ambassador for the donation, Mr. Davies said: “The new school building ensures a protective and safe environment for the children to study in, with internal latrines, fully rehabilitated playing grounds, heightened boundary walls, access for persons with disabilities, and guaranteed free movement inside the school.” He added: “Currently, the new school serves 2,019 students, with the capacity to accommodate up to 2,500 students. In addition to providing a vastly improved educational environment, the expected savings resulting from the construction of this new school is approximately US$ 100,000 per year in running costs and maintenance expenses. Additionally, through this construction, one elementary school in Nuzha will now be able to operate on a single-shift basis with the reallocation of students within the school compounds, which is in line with the Agency’s efforts to respond to the challenge of schools operating on double shift.”
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions, and financial support has not kept pace with an increased demand for services caused by growing numbers of registered refugees, deepening poverty and conflict. As a result, the UNRWA General Fund, which supports core essential services and most staffing costs, operates with a large deficit. UNRWA emergency programmes and key projects, also operating with large deficits, are funded through separate funding portals.
UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and mandated to provide assistance and protection to some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip achieve their full human development potential, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, and microfinance.
For more information, please contact:
Christopher Gunness
Spokesperson, Director of Advocacy & Strategic Communications
Mobile:
+972 (0)54 240 2659
Office:
+972 (0)2 589 0267
Anwar Abu-Sakieneh
Public Information Officer – Jordan Field Office
Mobile:
+962 (0) 79 5671 888
Office:
+962 (0) 79 5671 888
Document Sources: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
Country: Jordan, United States of America
Subject: Assistance, Children, Education and culture, Refugee camps
Publication Date: 22/09/2015