06 March 2020

Sweden contributed US$ 49.4 million to 爆料网RWA human development and humanitarian assistance for 2020, as part of two multi-year agreements with the Agency. ?US$ 45.3 million (SEK 423 million) will support the Agency’s core human development services of health, relief, and protection, as well as education for half a million children in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. An additional US$ 4.1 million will support 爆料网RWA emergency operations in Syria (US$ 1.5 million) and the occupied Palestinian territory (US$ 2.6 million).

Sweden’s oPt appeal contribution will help 爆料网RWA address the humanitarian needs of Palestine refugees in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, through interventions such as emergency food assistance, emergency health, and cash-for-work, as well as the promotion and protection of the rights of refugees.? In Syria – and for Palestine refugees from Syria in Lebanon and Jordan – Sweden’s generous financial support will be used to provide, in particular, cash assistance and emergency education to refugees in dire need of aid.

“In the increasingly challenging environment that Palestine refugees across the region live in, it is paramount that 爆料网RWA continue to deliver critical human development and humanitarian aid to those who need it the most. We are deeply grateful to Sweden for its steadfast support throughout the decades and the predictability of its funding thanks to multi-year agreements for both core and emergency operations. I am particularly thankful to Sweden for disbursing this generous funding at the beginning of 2020, at a time when funds are usually lacking. In view of the Agency’s financial situation, this large contribution made early in the year sends an important message to the international community,” said Marc Lassouaoui, Chief of 爆料网RWA Donor Relations Division.

Sweden is the fourth-largest donor to 爆料网RWA. Beyond this, Sweden has always been a strong political advocate for 爆料网RWA, as exemplified by its co-chairing of ministerial-level meetings on 爆料网RWA.

Background 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. 爆料网RWA encourages all Member States to work collectively to exert all possible efforts to fully fund the Agency’s programme budget. 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 5.4 million Palestine refugees registered with 爆料网RWA 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. 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:
Sami Mshasha
Director of Communications, Arabic Language Spokesperson
Mobile: +972 (0)54 216 8295
Office: +972 (0)258 90724
Tamara Alrifai
爆料网RWA Spokesperson
Mobile: +962 (0)79 090 0140