Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser of Qatar partners with UNRWA to educate children affected by occupation and conflict

14 November 2012
Doha, Qatar

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has entered into a strategic partnership agreement with the Office of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser of Qatar to promote education for children living under occupation and in conflict zones.

The agreement, signed at the launch of Sheikha Moza’s worldwide “Educate a Child” initiative, sets out a plan for both sides to co-operate in advancing primary education for Palestine refugee children, with a special focus on those whose access to school has been hampered by conflict.

“Vulnerable populations know best that primary education is one of the fundamental building blocks of a productive and happy life”, said UNRWA Commissioner-General Filippo Grandi. “For Palestine refugees, educational achievement has long been a national priority; a source of pride and identity. UNRWA has been able to serve them well, now educating half a million Palestine refugee children every day. This new partnership with the Office of her Highness Sheikha Moza recognises the urgent needs of these children to be assisted with their education despite the deplorable conditions in which they live.”

Background information

UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance.

Financial support to UNRWA has not kept pace with an increased demand for services caused by growing numbers of registered refugees, expanding need, and deepening poverty. As a result, the Agency's General Fund, supporting UNRWA’s core activities and 97 per cent reliant on voluntary contributions, has begun each year with a large projected deficit. Currently the budget deficit stands at USD 37 million.

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