Refugee host countries discuss UNRWA’s financial crisis

Shaheennews –

The Palestinian Affairs Department (PAD) on Sunday held a coordination meeting for Arab countries hosting Palestinian refugees, with attendees from Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt, and a delegation from the Arab League.

The meeting comes ahead of an UNRWA’s advisory committee meeting slated for Monday (Nov. 19) at the Dead Sea.

Director-General of PAD, Samir Khasawneh, said: “This meeting aims to coordinate Arab countries’ stances on the topics listed on the advisory committee’s agenda, including UNRWA’s financial crisis and its impact on the agency’s services and programs.”

He stressed the PAD’s firm position that the UNRWA must continue its role as set out in its UN mandate, expressing the hope that the discussions will garner additional support to the agency in a way that best serves Palestinian refugees and their cause.

Today’s talks touched upon the UNRWA’s financial deficit of $64 million and ways of securing further funding.