Abu Holi Welcomes the Outcomes of the Ministerial Pledging Conference Supporting UNRWA

Gaza - Afaq News - Dr. Ahmed Abu Holi, a member of the Central Committee of Fatah, a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, and head of the Department of Refugee Affairs, welcomed the political positions expressed by the countries participating in the pledging conference for major donor countries to UNRWA at the ministerial level, which was held in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, co-chaired by Jordan, Spain, and Brazil. He affirmed that the international assurances to protect the agency's mandate and reject its replacement represent a clear political message in the face of attempts to undermine its role and liquidate the Palestinian refugee issue.

Abu Holi praised the contributions of both France and Germany in supporting UNRWA, and their announcement of additional funding for the agency, commending the French contribution of 15 million euros and the additional German contribution of 20 million euros, of which 10 million euros are for rehabilitating infrastructure, and 10 million euros to support humanitarian operations in Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria.

He considered that these steps reflect a commitment to continue supporting the agency and enhancing its capacity to continue providing services to Palestinian refugees, calling on donor countries to emulate these initiatives, increase their financial contributions, and fulfill their commitments, which would help bridge UNRWA's financial shortfall and ensure the continuity of its services and the protection of its international mandate.

Abu Holi praised the positions of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and the participating Arab and international countries, which emphasized the necessity of enabling UNRWA to continue implementing the mandate granted to it by the General Assembly resolutions, protecting its staff, premises, and facilities, and rejecting the transfer of its responsibilities to host countries or replacing it with any other entity.

He stated that the positions issued from the conference confirm that UNRWA is not just an institution for providing humanitarian services, but a manifestation of international responsibility towards the Palestinian refugee issue and their rights, and that the continuation of its mandate is linked to the continuation of the refugee issue until a just and comprehensive solution is reached in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions, foremost among them Resolution 194.

He emphasized that international calls to bridge the financial shortfall facing the agency, estimated at around $100 million, must be translated into practical and immediate steps by fulfilling financial commitments and providing sustainable, multi-year funding that ensures the continuation of education, health, relief, and protection services for Palestinian refugees in the five UNRWA operational areas.

Abu Holi confirmed that the ongoing financial crisis not only threatens the agency's ability to provide its services but also directly impacts the lives of millions of Palestinian refugees, jeopardizing the stability of camps and host communities. He warned that reducing services or transferring the agency's responsibilities to other entities undermines its mandate and the international responsibility towards the refugee issue.

He welcomed international assurances regarding the importance of UNRWA's role in humanitarian response, recovery, and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip, stressing the need to empower it to fully perform its role during these phases and not to exclude it from any arrangements concerning the future of the sector, given its accumulated expertise, infrastructure, personnel, and the trust of the refugees.

He called on the international community and the United Nations to take practical measures to ensure respect for the immunity of UNRWA's premises and facilities, protect its staff, halt assaults and restrictions imposed on its operations, ensure the unobstructed delivery of humanitarian aid, and hold the occupation accountable for its violations of international law and UN resolutions.

Abu Holi affirmed that any administrative or financial reforms within UNRWA should aim to enhance its efficiency and sustainability of its services, and should not become a means to reduce its mandate or infringe on the rights of refugees or transfer its responsibilities to other entities.

Abu Holi emphasized that protecting UNRWA is protecting the rights of Palestinian refugees and their national cause, and that the international community is required to move from declaring political positions to assuming its legal and financial responsibilities, and ensuring the agency continues to implement its mandate until a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian refugee issue is reached in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions.