UNRWA 'urgently needs' $50-80 million to run basic services for Palestinians

The UN's Palestinian refugee agency "urgently needs" $50 to 80 million to continue running basic services, its chief said on Monday.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini was speaking in Jordan's capital Amman during a biannual meeting of the agency's advisory commission, whose mission is to help him deliver UNRWA's mandate.

"In the coming weeks, UNRWA urgently needs between US$50 [and] 80 million to be able to end the year and keep the schools and health centres and other basic services running," he said.

"Failure to muster that amount poses immense risks of industrial action, strikes, and consequently suspension of services."

Lazzarini is also seeking a nearly $200 million "capital injection" over three years which the UNRWA needs to achieve the objectives in its strategic plan.

"The investment is required to restore assets depleted by years of austerity, to support our digital transformation, and to live up to our environmental sustainability commitments," he added.

"The capital injection will also help reinforce our current fundraising capacity."

The agency's fiscal woes come as many Palestinian refugees languish in poverty, making UNRWA's work vital.

"No one chooses to be a #refugee. We will continue to pursue all avenues for revenue. As the 75th anniversary of #UNRWA nears, this is a time to reflect on what our commitment to #PalestineRefugees is and has been."

🎙️ @UNLazzarini concludes the Advisory Commission Meeting pic.twitter.com/6QL6fVgo8X

— UNRWA (@UNRWA) November 15, 2022

Lazzarini presented his annual report to the UN General Assembly's Special Political and Decolonization panel, or Fourth Committee, last week.

"Following the strong support expressed by the Fourth Committee members," he said, the General Assembly will vote on renewing UNRWA's mandate to support Palestinian refugees before the end of the year.

"We anticipate resounding support, and so do Palestine refugees in the absence of a just and lasting solution to their plight," Lazzarini added.

"That support stems from the deep belief by most UN Member States that UNRWA is irreplaceable for the wellbeing and the fulfillment of the human rights of Palestine refugees."

The UNRWA was established to provide services for Palestinian refugees in the Near East and currently assists around 545,000 students, 1.9 million with health services, and has 5.8 million registered with its protection mandate.

Almost 90 percent of Palestinian refugees in Syria and Lebanon live in "unprecedented levels of poverty", according to the UNRWA, making their services essential for millions of Palestinians in the Near East.