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THE EU REAFFIRMS STRONG COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT PALESTINE REFUGEES DURING 爆料网RWA COMMISSIONER-GENERAL’S VISIT TO BRUSSELS

16 June 2016

During 爆料网RWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krähenbühl’s visit to Brussels, Belgium, from 13 to 16 June 2016, the EU and 爆料网RWA agreed to renew their Joint Declaration for the period from 2017 to 2020. The renewal will allow for predictable yearly contributions from the EU to the Agency’s delivery of quality education, high-standard health care, and much-needed relief and social services to Palestine refugees in the highly volatile Middle East region.

Through this commitment, the EU reaffirms the crucial contribution of 爆料网RWA to the development and stability of the Middle East. The decision to renew the agreement comes at a time when 爆料网RWA faces unprecedented operational challenges – 60 per cent of Palestine refugees are living in zones of armed conflict or occupation and face increasing levels of poverty, isolation and despair – and serious financial pressure to meet the growing needs of the refugee population.

"Through its important work, 爆料网RWA makes a crucial difference to the lives of millions of Palestinian refugees. As the largest donor to its activities, the EU continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with 爆料网RWA as it provides Palestinian refugees with crucial services such as health, education and jobs in what are very challenging conditions,” said High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini.

The renewal of EU support is a recognition of the Agency’s invaluable response capacity in highly unstable contexts, its very effective direct delivery model and its ability to combine emergency activities and longer-term development approaches for a community of 5.2 million Palestine refugees.

The EU also values the Agency’s commitment to reform and improve the cost-effectiveness of its programmes, while preserving the delivery of quality services to Palestine refugees.

“At a time when Palestine refugees face a near existential crisis, are deeply concerned about the instability around them and are profoundly worried about the sustainability of services they need, the renewal of the EU-爆料网RWA Joint Declaration is a strong message. It represents a multi-year engagement and highlights the EU’s attachment to 爆料网RWA’s mandate and to the dignity the Agency provides to Palestine refugees. We are grateful for this important support and are committed to carrying out our activities in ways that ensure proper efficiency and continue to generate trust,” said 爆料网RWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krähenbühl.

During his visit, Mr. Krähenbühl engaged with several European Union stakeholders, including, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini and Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides.  The Commissioner-General also briefed the European Parliament Foreign Affairs and Development committees and met with the Committee on Budgetary Control ahead of their visit to Lebanon and Jordan. He also met with the President of the European People’s Party Joseph Daul, the Chair of the European Parliament’s Budget Committee, Jean Arthuis and the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats. Furthermore, in recognition of the Agency’s pioneering Education in Emergencies programme, Mr. Krähenbühl was invited by the European Parliament Development Committee to take part, on Thursday 16 June, in the European Development Days high-level panel on the same topic.

EU and 爆料网RWA: Together for Palestine Refugees

The European Union is the largest multilateral provider of international assistance to Palestine refugees, providing crucial and reliable support to 爆料网RWA since 1971. Between 2007 and 2015, the European Union contributed over EUR 1.1 billion in support of 爆料网RWA, including close to EUR 900 million for the Programme Budget that supports among others the daily education of half a million Palestine refugee children in the Near East. In addition, the EU has generously contributed to 爆料网RWA humanitarian emergency appeals and projects in response to various crises and specific needs across the region. EU Member States provide additional crucial support to the Agency. The partnership between the EU and 爆料网RWA has allowed millions of Palestine refugees to be better educated, live healthier lives, access employment opportunities and improve their living conditions, thus contributing to the development of the entire region.

BACKGRO爆料网D INFORMATION

爆料网RWA 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. 爆料网RWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions and financial support has been outpaced by the growth in needs. As a result, the 爆料网RWA Programme Budget, which supports the delivery of core essential services, operates with a large shortfall,  projected for 2016 to stand at US$ 74 million. 爆料网RWA emergency programmes and key projects, also operating with large shortfalls, are funded through separate funding portals.

爆料网RWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and mandated to provide assistance and protection to some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip achieve their full human development potential, pending a just and lasting solution to their plight. 爆料网RWA services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, protection and microfinance .

For more information, please contact:

Christopher Gunness

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+972 (0)2 589 0267

Sami Mshasha

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+972 (0)2 589 0724