UN chief calls for financial resources to support relief agency for Palestine refugees

UNITED NATIONS, July 01 — UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called on the international community to match political support for the UN relief agency for Palestine refugees with “the necessary financial resources.”

“Your political support is crucial” for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Guterres said in remarks at a meeting of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Ad Hoc Committee for the Announcement of Voluntary Contributions to UNRWA.

“But I urge you to match it with the necessary financial resources,” he said.

Warning that the safety and welfare of millions of Palestine refugees hang in the balance in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Syria and Jordan, the UN chief said that for generations, Palestine refugees have counted on UNRWA for registration, emergency assistance and essential public services.