Guyana joins Shared Commitments on UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East)

The Permanent Representatives of Jordan, Kuwait, and Slovenia today (22 May) announced the launch of an initiative of shared commitments to the Palestine refugee agency (UNRWA).

Guyana was among the sixteen countries that joined the launch which  aims to address UNRWA’s role in Gaza and for regional stability, as well as its financial situation and questions relating to the principles of neutrality, recognition of UNRWA’s staff, and the importance of cooperation with the Agency, among other aspects.

Jordanian Ambassador Mahmoud Daifallah Hmoud said at the launch, “in accordance with its General Assembly mandate, the agency has a vital role in providing life saving humanitarian assistance and human development services to generations of Palestine Refugees in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Jordan, Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic. We therefore believe it is important for countries to reaffirm their support for the work of the Agency and its indispensable role in providing assistance and relief and send signals of strong political support for UNRWA.”

Palestinian Ambassador Riyad H. Mansour welcomed the launch of the initiative and expressed hope “that many other states will join and affirm these commitments in support of UNRWA.” He said the Agency “does not only need financial support, but it needs political support. And this effort is a significant step in having this political support for UNRWA on the basis of its mandate, as we see it in the General Assembly.”

The Shared Commitments will now be open to the wider UN membership for endorsement.

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Statement of Shared Commitments on UNRWA

We acknowledge and appreciate the work of the United Nations system under the leadership of Secretary-General in the region of the Middle East. In this regard, we particularly emphasize the vital role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), in accordance with its General Assembly mandate, in providing life-saving assistance to generations of Palestinian refugees through the provision of essential education, health, relief and social services programmes and emergency assistance in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Jordan, Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic. In this regard we commit to continue:

• Recognizing the important and indispensable role of the Agency in its 75 years of existence and work in assisting the Palestinian refugees and contributing to regional stability, and expressing support for UNRWA to effectively uphold its mandate in all fields of operation;
• Underlining that UNRWA is the backbone of all humanitarian response in Gaza, and recognizing that no organization can replace or substitute UNRWA’s capacity;
• Expressing appreciation to the United Nations Secretary General and UNRWA Commissioner-General for their dedication to the UNRWA mandate and mission, consistent with the relevant UN resolutions, and with humanitarian principles, including the principle of neutrality, as demonstrated also by the immediate establishment of the external independent review of UNRWA, the Secretary-General's endorsement of the review’s recommendations, and the Commissioner-General's commitment to implement the review’s recommendations, 
• Underscoring the need for the United Nations Secretary General, UNRWA, and Member States to expeditiously implement the recommendations of the independent review group report;
• Welcoming the immediate initiation of the OIOS investigation into serious allegations made against a number of UNRWA employees, calling for a full and thorough investigation of the allegations, and reiterating the need for full accountability;
• Underscoring appreciation and admiration for the work of the staff of the Agency in all fields of operation in fulfilment of the Agency’s mandate and respect for the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence;
• Emphasizing the role of UNRWA as a pillar of regional stability and a lifeline of hope and opportunity for the millions of Palestinian refugees it serves, including children and women, and in this regard recognizing serious humanitarian, political and security risks that would result from any interruption or suspension of its vital work; 
• Highlighting concerns about the extremely critical financial situation of the Agency, 
• Recognizing the efforts of donors and host countries to respond to the Agency's financial crisis, and the importance of sufficient, predictable and sustained funding support to the Agency;
• Underlining the importance of cooperation of all States and other UN bodies with UNRWA;
• Drawing attention to deliberations at the United Nations in order to further advance the visibility of and support to UNRWA’s important work.