DPA, UNRWA directors discuss basic needs, challenges facing Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan

AMMAN — Director General of the Department of Palestinian Affairs (DPA) Rafiq Khirfan and UNRWA Director of Operations Olaf Becker on Sunday discussed the basic needs and challenges facing Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan.

Khirfan stressed the importance of increasing the number of sanitation workers in camps and the value of joint field visits to engage directly with camp committee leaders to learn about the needs of camp residents and addressing their concerns.

Condemning what he described as a systematic campaign to undermine UNRWA, Khirfan said: "These Israeli actions are illegitimate and seek to dismantle the agency and its symbolism, which upholds the Palestinians' right of return and compensation under international resolutions."

He also criticised a recent decision by the Israeli Knesset to ban UNRWA activities in the occupied Palestinian territories and strip its staff of the diplomatic protection normally accorded to UN agencies, including those in East Jerusalem, which is regarded a flagrant violation of international law and Israel's responsibilities as an occupying force.

Khirfan praised UNRWA's commitment to providing essential services to Palestinian refugees amid these obstacles and reiterated Jordan's continued support for the agency at the regional and international levels.

Becker expressed appreciation for the Kingdom's support for UNRWA, including its efforts to garner international support for the agency, referring to the recent visit of the prime minister to the Hittin camp, where he had a firsthand look at the primary needs and challenges of the camp.