Director of UNRWA Operations in Gaza Matthias Schmale called on the US not to politicize its aid to the international organization which serves Palestinian refugees, Quds Press reported yesterday.
During a protest staged by thousands of UNRWA employees in front of the UN office in Gaza, Schmale said: “It is not acceptable that the US politicizes the aid offered to us.”
“I say to the US that you were distinctive partners. Thanks to your support we could build the biggest organization active in humanitarian work. You should continue this role.”
Visit Public Aid Society #Hospital in #Gaza confirmed state of the art medical facilities & highly experienced and committed medical staff continue to work but increasingly challenged by totally inadequate supplies of medicines & electricity and failing salary payments
— Matthias Schmale (@matzschmale) January 26, 2018
Schmale reiterated that the existence of UNRWA “is linked to a political issue” therefore, he said, “this issue must be resolved before dissolving the UNRWA.”
The UN official stressed:
“We do not only want donations, we want a comprehensive solution for the issue of the [Palestinian] refugees.”
Meanwhile, the head of services at UNRWA, Amir Al-Mishal, said:
“Any plan which aims to undermine UNRWA or any of the refugee issues will not succeed whatever the challenges and obstacles are.”
Needless to state, supporting UNRWA is just one albeit critical aspect of preventing collapse in #Gaza. Revitalising the economy, restoring normal electricity and lifting the blockade are as important
— Matthias Schmale (@matzschmale) January 26, 2018
He noted that the US decision to reduce aid to UNRWA would affect six million Palestinian refugees.
“The message we want to convey to the world,” Al-Mishal said, “is that we have rights and these rights are not subject to statute of limitations.”
Last week, the UNRWA Commissioner General launched a campaign to raise funds for the organization which is suffering the worst financial crisis since it was set up. He named the campaign: “Dignity is priceless.”
(MEMO, PC, Social Media)
