UNRWA opens health centre in Jordan with support from Saudi Fund for Development

AMMAN — A health centre to serve 300,000 Palestine refugees in Jordan was opened in Zarqa camp, northeast of Jordan, on Sunday, according to an UNRWA statement.

Saudi Ambassador to Jordan Nayef Bin Bandar Al Sudairy, UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini, Director General of the Department of Palestinian Affairs Rafiq Khirfan and Zarqa Governor Hasan Al Jbour attended the event.

The new health centre was constructed with a donation of nearly $2 million through the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) while the Government of Jordan donated the land. 

The centre will provide accessibility for persons with disabilities and includes green spaces, a children’s play area, and sun-shaded spaces.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sudairy said: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a pioneer in humanitarian work, with the aim of alleviating human suffering around the world, in cooperation with the United Nations and international organisations.” 

“The Kingdom is fully supportive of Palestine refugees, including through our partnership with UNRWA, and its services,” he added.

Also during the ceremony Sudairy and Lazzarini took a tour of the health centre’s facilities, where they engaged with health centre staff and Palestine refugee patients.

“I would like to extend my appreciation to Saudi Arabia for its historic support to UNRWA. This contribution embodies the Kingdom’s solidarity with Palestine refugees throughout their plight. The construction of this health centre is a critical investment that will serve thousands of Palestine refugees residing both inside and outside Zarqa camp,” said Lazzarini. 

“I also welcome the recent contribution of $27 million from Saudi Arabia in support of UNRWA’s core services, as the agency faces a critical funding shortfall this year,” he added.