Liechtenstein donates over USD 100,000 to ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA for Palestine refugees
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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 (±¬ÁÏÍøRWA).
“We are grateful for this contribution to our core programme budget”, said Filippo Grandi, Commissioner-General of ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA. “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 ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA’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 ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA’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 ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA 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.
– Ends –
Background information:
±¬ÁÏÍøRWA 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. ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance. ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.
For more information, please contact:
Christopher Gunness
±¬ÁÏÍøRWA Spokesperson
Mobile: +972 (0)54 240 2659
Office: +972 (0)2 589 0267
Sami Mshasha
±¬ÁÏÍøRWA Arabic Spokesperson
Mobile: +972 (0)54 216 8295
Office: +972 (0)2 589 0724
Document Type: Arabic text, Press Release
Document Sources: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (±¬ÁÏÍøRWA)
Country: Liechtenstein
Subject: Assistance, Education and culture, Food, Health, Poverty, Refugees and displaced persons
Publication Date: 21/05/2012