Statement by UK Political Coordinator Fergus Eckersley at
the UNRWA Pledging Conference.
First of all we would like to thank Leen Sharqawi and Ahmed Abu
Daqqa for their very powerful statements. A reminder, if we
needed it, that UNRWA continues to provide a vital beacon of hope
for Palestinians.
President, the UK also believes UNRWA plays a critical role in
preserving stability in the Middle East in its education services
to around 543,000 students, access to health services to 1.9
million refugees, and protection assistance to 5.9 million
refugees.
It has also provided 32,000 loans to support sustainable
income-generating opportunities. It helps the most vulnerable
Palestinian refugees not only to survive but to thrive.
UNRWA cannot do this alone, but relies on us, the international
community, to show our support to and solidarity with Palestinian
refugees. I am pleased to announce that the UK will pledge £10m
[$12.5m USD] to support it in delivering high-quality services.
However, UNRWA faces several financial challenges. It is working
to meet this challenge head-on by developing a robust Resource
Mobilisation and Outreach Strategy. The international community
must collectively support this strategy, and help to address the
chronic funding shortfalls by providing predictable, multi-year
funding.
We welcome the pledges from others and we support creative
thinking about other means to ensure UNRWA’s financial viability
to implement its mandate.
The UK continues to believe that a negotiated, two-state solution
is the only viable means of bringing the peace and stability that
both Palestinians and Israelis desire. Until then, the UK remains
steadfast in its commitment to UNRWA and to Palestinian refugees.
