Egypt reaffirms its full support for UNRWA and its pivotal role in the humanitarian response in Gaza
Cairo, Sept 7 (KUNA) -- Egypt reaffirmed today its full support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), emphasizing its pivotal role in delivering humanitarian assistance in the Gaza Strip and the necessity of enabling the agency to carry out its mandate.
In a statement, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said this position was conveyed during a meeting between Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Christian Saunders, Acting Commissioner-General of UNRWA, on the sidelines of the 166th ordinary session of the Arab League Council at the ministerial level, held at the League’s headquarters in Cairo.
According to the statement, the meeting discussed developments in the humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, the challenges facing the agency’s work, and ways to support and empower it to continue fulfilling its UN mandate.
Abdelatty stressed the need to provide the necessary political and financial support to ensure UNRWA’s continued operations across its five areas of operation, underscoring the importance of its role in providing essential services to Palestinian refugees.
He condemned the ongoing Israeli attacks and violations against UNRWA facilities and centers, including the incursion and seizure by Israeli occupation forces of the Qalandia Training Center, a UNRWA facility in occupied East Jerusalem, on August 25. He reiterated the necessity of respecting the inviolability of UN premises, protecting their staff, and rejecting any attempts to undermine the agency’s role or impair its mandate.
Regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip, Abdelatty emphasized the need to guarantee full, safe, and sustainable access for humanitarian and relief aid to the Strip without obstacles, and to intensify international efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.
For his part, Saunders outlined the growing challenges facing UNRWA’s operations and the dire humanitarian conditions endured by Palestinian refugees, particularly in Gaza, as well as the agency’s efforts to continue providing its services despite field and financial constraints. (End)
