5 November 2012
Jerusalem
For the third year running, the Spanish Regional Government of Navarra has contributed EUR 100,000 to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency’s (UNRWA) mobile health clinics, which provide primary health care to particularly vulnerable communities in the West Bank due to their isolated locations or close proximity to the West Bank Barrier.
In the West Bank, access to health care remains limited, particularly in East Jerusalem, Area C, closed military zones, some refugee camps and communities close to the Barrier. Demand at UNRWA’s 42 health centres has increased rapidly in the past several years, as many Palestinians turned to UNRWA and other non-governmental organisations to provide health services following the second intifada.
UNRWA’s mobile health clinics are specifically designed to mitigate access restrictions to health services in isolated communities though the use of six mobile health clinics that make regular visits to affected communities. These visits benefit up to 12,000 patients per month in 59 localities, as well as provide mental health services to 7,800 patients though three fixed health hubs. The programme is one of a set of moves by UNRWA aimed at raising the quality of health services in the West Bank.
The Government of Navarra’s contribution will support the continuity of this programme and provide high-quality health services to Palestine refugees in the West Bank.
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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. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.
UNRWA’s Spanish Comittee works to support UNRWA’s humanitarian programmes and to raise awareness within Spanish society of the situation facing Palestine refugees.
For more information, please contact:
Cristina Poveda
Communication and Marketing
UNRWA Spanish Committee
Mobile: (+34) 638 879 561
Office: (+34) 917 027 059
cpoveda@unrwace.org
María González
Communication
UNRWA Spanish Committee
Mobile: (+34) 638 879 561
Office: (+34) 917 027 059
mgonzalez@unrwace.org
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