Qatar Reaffirms Support for UNRWA’s Vital Role in Gaza at UN Meeting
New York, The Gulf Observer: Qatar has reaffirmed the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) as a pivotal and indispensable entity, serving as the backbone of humanitarian aid in Gaza. The commendation of UNRWA’s efforts, led by Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, was delivered by Her Excellency Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, during the Ad Hoc Committee of the General Assembly’s meeting for the Announcement of Voluntary Contributions to UNRWA held at the UN headquarters in New York.
In her address, Sheikha Alya highlighted the exceptional circumstances of this year’s pledging conference, compounded by UNRWA’s chronic funding shortages. She underscored the necessity for a massive humanitarian response to address the unprecedented disaster resulting from the ongoing Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.
Sheikha Alya also welcomed the findings of an independent review group, which invalidated allegations against UNRWA, and expressed gratitude to countries that have resumed or increased their financial contributions to the Agency. She announced Qatar’s additional financial contribution of $25 million in May to support UNRWA’s core resources for 2024, supplementing the $18 million provided in December 2023 for the same purpose.
The Permanent Representative affirmed Qatar’s commitment to continued coordination with the UNRWA Commissioner-General at various levels to ensure the ongoing efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people. She emphasized that this commitment is part of Qatar’s firm policy of solidarity with the Palestinian people, which includes various forms of humanitarian, financial, and in-kind support.
Following the UNRWA Pledging Conference, Sheikha Alya participated in a media stand at the UN headquarters, where the group expressed its solidarity and full support for UNRWA’s work. They highlighted UNRWA’s indispensable role in providing humanitarian aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip, reiterating the agency’s critical importance in the region.
