Donor representatives visit UNRWA installations in Syria – UNRWA press release

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Donor representatives visiting UNRWA installations in Syria

Delegates from about 11 countries reaffirmed their strong support for UNRWA and its work in delivering assistance to the Palestine refugees. In meeting UNRWA staff at UNRWA Field Office on 14 December they praised the Agency for its ability to respond quickly to the new challenges it faces under rapidly changing circumstances and to assist in the social and economic development of Palestinian refugee community.

In his opening remarks, Panos Moumtzis, Director of UNRWA Affairs, Syria thanked major donor representatives for their continued assistance to UNRWA over the years and cited the excellent co-operation between UNRWA and the Syrian Government.

On his part, Mr Ali Mustafa, the Director-General of the General Authority for Palestine Arab Refugees confirmed the Syrian Government's support for the Palestine refugees in Syria and significant efforts to improve their living conditions in co-operation with UNRWA.

Donor representatives joined by UNRWA Director and staff toured UNRWA installations in Sbeineh camp and were briefed on the master plan of the camp. They also discussed gender, women’s and youth issues with community representatives, teaching staff and parents and attended a session of student parliament. They visited refugee families and listened to their concerns.

In Damascus Training Centre, they toured a number of professional and semi- professional courses and had lunch with the students. The also enjoyed a musical performance of Palestinian songs by the students of UNRWA Nimreen Music Children’s Centre.

On 15 December, the group will visit Neirab camp, Aleppo and walk through the barracks area to see for themselves the dilapidated conditions of the tin-roofed shelters. Then after a detailed briefing on the Neirab rehabilitation project, they will tour the housing units in Ein el-Tal and visit families who have moved to the new houses and completed the final finishing works of their houses on a self-help basis.

Prior to their visit to Damascus the donor representatives attended the Advisory Commission meetings in Amman (11-12 December). The Advisory Commission was established under the General Assembly resolution 302(IV) of 8 December 1949 to advise and assist the Commissioner-General of UNRWA in the execution of its programme.

UNRWA is a humanitarian and human development Agency providing education, health care, social services, micro-credit and emergency relief to over 4 million registered refugees living in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic. In Syria, the Agency provides assistance to over 430,000 of whom over 30,000 live in the Aleppo area.

For information only – Not an official record

For further information please contact:

Hala Mukhles

Office: 6133035 ext 314

Mobile: 093-416591