Head of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Department of Refugee Affairs, Ahmad Abu Holi, said Thursday that an emergency meeting of the Arab League and Arab states hosting Palestinian refugees will be held next week to discuss the financial crisis at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
In a press statement, Abu Holi explained there are ongoing contacts among these countries to formulate a joint work mechanism and reach a common position to protect refugee camps from the spread of COVID-19 and to collect funds for the UNRWA budget.
“The meeting will be held next Monday at the request of Palestine and under the presidency of Jordan to discuss the UNRWA’s financial situation,” in light of its serious crisis due to a lack of international funds, the official said.
Abu Holi added that the meeting would also tackle the latest developments related to the COVID-19 crisis inside Palestinian camps in several Arab countries and the agency’s plans for the 2020-2021 academic year in wake of the ongoing pandemic.
Earlier this year, UNRWA demanded a budget of $1.4 billion for 2020. However, it has so far received only $416 million, which will impact its ability to implement its humanitarian programs.
UNRWA officials say the agency faces the "most serious financial crisis" since its establishment in 1949, which was exacerbated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1949 and mandated to provide assistance and protection to some 5.6 million Palestine refugees registered with the agency across its five fields of operation.
