Safadi, Lazzarini review support strategies for UNRWA

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini on Thursday discussed preparations, in coordination with Sweden, to hold an international conference to discuss funding strategies for UNRWA. 

Safadi and Lazzarini highlighted the importance of the conference in securing effective and sustainable strategies to ensure continuous support for the agency, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

The conference seeks to mobilise political and financial support for UNRWA to continue offering its vital services to more than five million Palestinian refugees in the health, relief and educational fields.

The two sides said that the conference is also important to provide services to more than 560,000 students at UNRWA schools in its five areas of operation, according to its UN mandate, the Foreign Ministry statement said. 

Safadi reiterated the importance of coordinating with international partners to provide sustainable political and financial support to UNRWA. The support should come according to long-term financing mechanisms that enable the UN agency to continue its vital services for Palestinian refugees without interruptions. 

Lazzarini commended the Kingdom’s continuous efforts to provide international financial and political support to the agency.

Safadi and Lazzarini also thanked UNRWA’s international partners for their support. They stressed the significance of the US decision to resume support for the agency, which will help meet UNRWA’s needs.

Both sides agreed to continue cooperation bilaterally and trilaterally with Sweden on means to mobilise international support for the agency to continue its services to Palestinian refugees as it constitutes a main pillar for regional security and stability, the statement said.