United Nations: The State of Qatar Participates in Ministerial Meeting for UNRWA Main Partners

New York, September 23 (QNA) - The State of Qatar participated today in the ministerial meeting of the main partners of UNRWA, which was held on the sidelines of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The State of Qatar was represented at the meeting by HE , Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Regional Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi.
In his remarks before the meeting, His Excellency stressed that the State of Qatar has increased its donations to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to support its basic resources, noting that these donations are also in line with the State of Qatar's consistent policy in solidarity with the Palestinian people and providing all forms of support to them.
He explained that Qatar was the first Arab country to sign a multi-year agreement with UNRWA in 2018 to support its main resources, adding that the Qatar Fund for Development announced last November a donation of $18 million in support of the agency's resources over two years, including $10 million in 2021 and $8 million in 2022, noting that the fund contributed $7 million for the UNRWA emergency program in Syria, including cash assistance, education, health and vocational training.
His Excellency added that UNRWA was one of the most important agencies of the United Nations, and millions of Palestinians depend on it for their basic needs. He added that the agency also performs a central mission in one of the main areas of the Middle East issue, which is refugees, reiterating that until a just, lasting and comprehensive settlement is reached for the Palestinian cause, including the right of return for refugees in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, the mission of the Agency is indispensable. He expressed his belief that ensuring this minimum level of well-being is necessary, not only as a right of the Palestinians, but also because of its importance in the service of peace efforts, warning that human suffering leads to a loss of hope, which does not serve stability.
His Excellency added that it is the responsibility of the international partners to do what is necessary and cooperate in order to meet the needs of the agency, especially in light of the budget deficit it is facing, considering that this deficit has become a chronic challenge, and threatens to seriously affect the basic services it provides. (QNA)