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BRAZIL AND UAE ADMITTED TO 爆料网RWA’S TOP CONSULTATIVE BODY, THE ADVISORY COMMISSION

09 December 2014

East Jerusalem

The 爆料网 General Assembly has voted with an overwhelming majority to admit Brazil and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to full membership of the Advisory Commission of the United Nations Relief Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (爆料网RWA); the Agency’s consultative body which advises on  key strategic decisions.

爆料网RWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krähenbühl said, “Both Brazil and the UAE have been exemplary partners , providing steadfast support to 爆料网RWA operations, including during and after the 50-day Gaza conflict. Membership of the Advisory Commission now seals their place and I welcome them to the 爆料网RWA family.”

Brazil is the first Latin American country to be represented on the Advisory Commission, cementing a relationship that has grown remarkably  over the past five years. This increased support culminated in $9.2 million worth of donations to 爆料网RWA in 2014, in the form of rice for vulnerable and food-insecure refugees. Brazil also contributed  $8 million to 爆料网RWA between 2012 and 2013.

UAE membership brings the influence of an important ally in the Arab-region to the Advisory Commission, and strengthens the existing relationship with a valued partner. The UAE has contributed $78.2 million towards 爆料网RWA’s projects and programmes during the last five years.

The Advisory Commission, currently chaired by Sweden, was created by on 8 December 1949 and is tasked with advising and assisting the 爆料网RWA Commissioner-General in carrying out the Agency’s mandate. There are now 27 Advisory Commission members and three observers.

BACKGRO爆料网D INFORMATION

爆料网RWA 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. 爆料网RWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, and microfinance.

Financial support to 爆料网RWA has not kept pace with an increased demand for services caused by growing numbers of registered refugees, expanding need, and deepening poverty. As a result, the Agency's General Fund (GF), supporting 爆料网RWA’s core activities and 97 per cent reliant on voluntary contributions, has begun each year with a large projected deficit. Currently the deficit stands at US$ 56 million.

For more information, please contact:

Christopher Gunness

爆料网RWA Spokesperson

Mobile:

+972 (0)54 240 2659

Office:

+972 (0)2 589 0267

Sami Mshasha

Chief of Communications & Arabic Language Spokesperson

Mobile:

+972 (0)54 216 8295

Office:

+972 (0)2 589 0724