146th IPU Assembly – UNRWA calls on parliamentarians from around the world to further support Palestine refugees
MANAMA
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) participated in the 146th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Manama, Bahrain. The delegation, headed by Senior Manager for Outreach Europe Marc Lassouaoui, called on parliamentarians from countries around the globe to support Palestine refugees in the face of multiple crises in the Middle East.
The 146th Assembly of the IPU gathered 137 member Parliaments and a number of associate members and observers globally. The Assembly provided a platform for delegates to deliberate, exchange views about key issues in the global agenda and build bridges at parliamentary level.
During his address to the IPU General Assembly, Mr Lassouaoui said: “UNRWA’s financial crisis puts at serious risks the Agency’s essential services, including education, primary health care and social services for one of the most vulnerable refugee communities in the world.” He added that “parliaments around the world have a role to play in supporting Palestine refugees.”
The General Debate focused on the overall theme of ‘Promoting peaceful coexistence and inclusive societies: Fighting intolerance.’ UNRWA highlighted the important role of its human rights, conflict resolution, and tolerance programme in the education of more than half a million Palestine refugee girls and boys in the Middle East. The programme empowers students to enjoy and exercise their rights, uphold human rights values, and contribute positively to their society and the global community.
UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The United Nations General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949 with a mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestine refugees in the Agency’s area of operations pending a just and lasting solution to their plight.
UNRWA operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, The Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
Tens of thousands of Palestine refugees who lost their homes and livelihoods due to the 1948 conflict continue to be displaced and in need of support, nearly 75 years on.
UNRWA helps Palestine Refugees achieve their full potential in human development through quality services it provides in education, health care, relief and social services, protection, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.
