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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi, Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde and Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini, discussed ways to mobilize the necessary international support to enable the Agency meet its financial needs amid the increasing financial pressures and the requirements of facing the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the tripartite remote meeting held via videoconferencing on Wednesday, Lazarini briefed Safadi and Linde on the agency’s financial position, its efforts to provide the necessary refugee assistance, and its future plans.

The officials discussed the financial challenges facing UNRWA and the implications of the Covid-19 pandemic on Palestinian refugee communities and the Agency’s budget and programs.

They also stressed the importance of maintaining the Agency’s programs as part of the targeted international efforts to contain the pandemic-induced consequences and providing the financial support that the Agency needs to continue its vital services to Palestinian refugees as a pillar to regional stability and security.

The officials affirmed continued consultations with international partners to provide sustainable political and financial support to UNRWA in accordance with long-term funding mechanisms that enable the Agency to continue providing its vital services to Palestinian refugees efficiently without disruption.
The officials reviewed preparations for the Stockholm Group meeting to be organized by Jordan and Sweden next month to discuss with international partners ways to support UNRWA financially and politically.

The group, which held the last meeting through videoconferencing on April 22, includes Jordan, Sweden, Egypt, Kuwait, Norway, Germany, Britain, France, Japan and the European Union, in addition UNRWA.

In this context, Safadi called to maintain providing political and financial support to the agency to ensure continuity of its vital services in accordance with its UN mandate until a permanent and just solution to the refugee issue is found in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions, including United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194, and in the context of a comprehensive solution to the conflict based on the two-state solution.

The challenges facing UNRWA require "effective" regional and international action to offer the allocations the agency needs to meet the budget deficit, according to Safadi.

Safadi stressed the need to provide the emergency support the UNRWA needs to confront the Covid-19 pandemic and its consequences, warning that any failure to face the pandemic-induced repercussions triggered by shortage of the agency's financial capabilities will have repercussions on all in the region.

Safadi lauded Sweden's central role in the efforts to support UNRWA, and the Swedish Foreign Minister for her "active and essential partnership" and the continuous efforts made by UNRWA commissioner.

Safadi said Jordan and Sweden are partners in this necessary effort, and work jointly in a "systematic and institutional" manner to support the agency.

Safadi indicated that supporting the agency and ensuring its continued financing to enable fulfill its duties towards refugees is a continuous effort made by the Kingdom.