Saudi Arabia And Several Nations Reaffirm UNRWA's Essential Role In Protecting Palestinian Refugee Rights

The foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, and Qatar have reiterated their support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). They emphasise its crucial role in protecting Palestinian refugees' rights and welfare. For decades, UNRWA has been fulfilling its unique mandate by providing essential services like education and healthcare to millions of refugees.

UNRWA's operations are guided by the UN General Assembly Resolution 302 (1949), which entrusts it with offering protection and assistance to Palestinian refugees. The recent renewal of UNRWA's mandate for another three years by the UN General Assembly underscores global confidence in its critical mission. This renewal ensures that UNRWA can continue its work without interruption.

The ministers highlight the indispensable role of UNRWA amid the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Through its distribution centres, UNRWA delivers food and relief items efficiently to those in need. This effort aligns with Security Council Resolution 2803, ensuring fair distribution of basic necessities to affected communities.

UNRWA's schools and health facilities serve as vital resources for refugee communities in Gaza. Despite challenging conditions, they continue to provide education and primary healthcare. These services contribute significantly to enabling Palestinians to remain on their land and rebuild their homeland.

The ministers strongly condemn the Israeli forces' storming of UNRWA's headquarters in Sheikh Jarrah, east Jerusalem. They view this act as a blatant violation of international law and an unacceptable escalation. The International Court of Justice advises that Israel must not obstruct but rather facilitate UNRWA's operations as an occupying power.

They stress that no other organisation can match UNRWA's infrastructure or expertise in meeting Palestinian refugees' needs. Any weakening of its capacity could lead to severe humanitarian, social, and political consequences across the region.

Call for Support

The ministers urge the international community to ensure sustainable funding for UNRWA. They call for providing it with the necessary political and operational space to continue its vital work across all five areas of operation. Supporting UNRWA is key to maintaining stability and preserving human dignity.

This support is crucial until a just solution is found for Palestinian refugees according to international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, including UN General Assembly Resolution 194.

With inputs from SPA