UNRWA warns of complete halt to its operations

The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees has warned that its operations would come to a complete halt by the end of September in the event necessary funds were not provided.

UNRWA commissioner-general Filippo Grandi told a press conference in Gaza on Wednesday that his agency was facing very difficult financial conditions, noting that the deficit was more than 170 million dollars including 90 million dollars urgently needed.

He appealed to the Arab and donor countries to expedite their donations to UNRWA’s budget, explaining that the Arab League had pledged 7.5% of his agency’s regular budget but up till now it was paying only 1%.

Addressing another problem, Grandi said that after one and a half years of ending the war on Gaza UNRWA could not obtain construction material to rebuild its schools and refugee camps due to the Israeli blockade that prohibit entry of such materials.

He said that UNRWA is in need of building 100 schools in Gaza or else the educational process would deteriorate further.