GIZ and UNRWA come together in kick-off workshop to discuss future partnership under PART II
From 31 August – 1 September 2022, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) hosted an introductory workshop to discuss continued cooperation under the “PART II” Programme at the Landmark Hotel in Amman, Jordan.
The PART II programme, implemented by GIZ and commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) aims to enhance community participation of Palestine refugees to strengthen their influence on their living conditions and circumstances. PART II follows a multi-stakeholder approach, supporting the host governments in the region, non-governmental and camp-based organizations, as well as UNRWA as their main strategic partner. PART II was initiated in 2022 and is based on several previous programmes, dating back to 2010. It will conclude in November 2024.
Representatives from different UNRWA and PART II/GIZ field offices and departments were invited to explore further cooperation and to design a relevant cooperation and steering mechanism.
Current projects technically supported by PART II include the development of a comprehensive and sustainable staff care system, strengthening the Agency’s approach towards the professionalization of school counsellors and the social workforce of the UNRWA Relief and Social Services Programme, supporting the position of the UNRWA Ombudsman and enhancing the participatory planning processes in the Palestinian refugee camps in the context of Camp Improvement Planning. After the workshop, GIZ PART II Head of Programme, Ms. Claudia Roos, stated: “This workshop has shown that the cooperation between UNRWA and GIZ is longstanding and built on trust and joint interests. I want to express my special appreciation for UNRWA participants who despite an extremely difficult working environment brought in their commitment and enthusiasm and have made this workshop very productive and successful”.
“This workshop further highlighted the strong strategic partnership between Germany and UNRWA, a solid relationship built on trust and true cooperation and complementing technical expertise. Beyond Germany’s reliable financial and political support, the interactive discussions offered the chance to actively shape and build upon how we work together, striving to jointly improve the quality of services and enhance participation of Palestine refugees and host communities at all levels.” said Karim Amer, UNRWA Director of Partnerships.
Germany is a top three donor to UNRWA, having contributed EUR 150 million in 2021. The enduring support by the German Government helps UNRWA to continue providing lifesaving humanitarian services to Palestinian refugees and enhances the essential work of the Agency to improve their living conditions.
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.
