22 March 2020
Further to the Statement by Amanya Michael-Ebye, Director of UNRWA Affairs, Syrian Arab Republic, dated 19 March 2020:
UNRWA is devastated by the news that in the same incident that took the life of our colleague, a number of civilians were also killed. Tragically, this also includes Mohammad Ali Fares, 13 years old, a student in one of our schools, along with his 10 year old cousin, Rasha Nabeel Al Zawahra. Our heartfelt condolences go out to all those impacted by this tragic event.
UNRWA reiterates its call on all parties to the conflict in Syria to protect civilians from all forms of violence.
UNRWA is confronted with an increased demand for services resulting from a growth in the number of registered Palestine refugees, the extent of their vulnerability and their deepening poverty. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions and financial support has been outpaced by the growth in needs. As a result, the UNRWA programme budget, which supports the delivery of core essential services, operates with a large shortfall. UNRWA encourages all Member States to work collectively to exert all possible efforts to fully fund the Agency’s programme budget. UNRWA emergency programmes and key projects, also operating with large shortfalls, 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 5.6 million Palestine refugees registered with UNRWA across its five fields of operation. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank, including East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip achieve their full human development potential, pending a just and lasting solution to their plight. UNRWA services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, protection and microfinance.
Document Sources: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
Country: Syria
Subject: Armed conflict, Casualties, Incidents, Refugee camps, Refugees and displaced persons, Security issues
Publication Date: 22/03/2020
URL source: https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/official-statements/further-statement-amanya-michael-ebye-director-unrwa-affairs-syrian