New York, June 26 (QNA) - The State of Qatar chaired the pledging conference for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani presided over the conference on behalf of HE President of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa. The conference was called for by the Ad Hoc Committee of the General Assembly for the Announcement of Voluntary Contributions to UNRWA.
HE UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krahenbuhl attended the conference. Krahenbuhl urged to support UNRWA to provide services to 5.4 million refugees, provide 8 million medical visits per year and provide emergency relief to 1.5 million people.
The State of Qatar reiterates that it will remain at the forefront of the countries that can be trusted with the various partners in providing humanitarian assistance to the brotherly Palestinian people.
This came in a statement by Deputy Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN Jassim Sayar Al Maawda at the pledging conference for the UNRWA.
Al Maawda stressed the firm policy of the State of Qatar in supporting UNRWA, its commitment to burden sharing, its great appreciation for all efforts to meet the basic needs of the Palestine refugees and its central role in stabilizing the region, thus Qatar contributed USD 50 million, during the extraordinary Ministerial Conference on UNRWA support held on 15 March 2018, Rome, Italy.
He also referred to Qatar's support for UNRWA's core resources totaling USD 16 million for the period 2019-2020, on the sidelines of the Doha Forum in December 2018.
Al Maawda underlined that this financial contribution was in line with the firm solidarity of the State of Qatar in supporting the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and the importance of ensuring adequate and sustainable funding for the agency.
The State of Qatar commended the vital role of UNRWA in providing protection and support to Palestinian refugees in the face of the challenges. The statement explained the challenges will continue as long as the plight of the Palestinian refugees remains and until achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian issue, including the return of refugees in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions.
At the end of the statement, the State of Qatar affirmed that it has been and will remain at the forefront of countries that can be trusted with the various partners in providing humanitarian assistance to the brotherly Palestinian people. (QNA)