Ireland’s Tánaiste Micheál Martin visits Talbieh Camp in Jordan
AMMAN,
The Tánaiste of Ireland, Micheál Martin, visited Talbieh Camp in Jordan today, reaffirming Ireland's commitment to UNRWA and the vital role it plays in providing healthcare, education, sanitation, and other services to Palestine Refugees.
Martin was accompanied by the Ambassador of Ireland to Jordan, Marianne Bolger, and other senior Irish officials. The Irish delegation, welcomed by UNRWA officials including Deputy Commissioner-General Natalie Boucly, were briefed about the Agency’s operations in Jordan, and visited Talbieh Girls' School, where they held a discussion with members of the student parliament.
They also visited the UNRWA Health Centre, and walked in Talbieh Camp’s streets to get a better understanding of UNRWA’s sanitation work and the pivotal impact it has on the lives of Palestine Refugees. During the visit, Martin shed light on Ireland's enduring support to Palestine Refugees and its commitment to assisting UNRWA in its mission to provide essential services.
“During my visit to the Talbieh Camp today, I witnessed firsthand the essential work UNRWA is doing to improve the lives of Palestinian refugees,” Martin said.
“Education is one of the fundamental values of life. As a teacher myself, meeting the schoolchildren and getting to witness their enthusiasm for learning was a joy to behold. This is clear evidence of UNRWA’s key role in creating opportunities and a future for young Palestinian refugees.”
Ireland has consistently been one of UNRWA's most consistent supporters. In February 2024, it provided an exceptional contribution of EUR 20 million in funding for the Agency’s core budget, helping to allow critical services to continue to be delivered in all five fields of operation. In addition, Ireland remains resolute in advocating for Palestine Refugees and promoting peace and security in the region.
“We thank Ireland for its steadfast and principled financial and political support to UNRWA and Palestine Refugees. Core funding support from exemplary donors like Ireland enables UNRWA to deliver critical health and education services to thousands of Palestine Refugees in Jordan and across the region in a sustainable and predictable manner” said Deputy Commissioner-General Boucly.
ENDs –
Notes to Editors
-
Talbieh Camp is home to thousands of Palestine Refugees of all ages. Access to education and health services are necessary as are safe sanitation. Ireland has been a steadfast supporter of UNRWA, especially for its work on education for Palestine Refugees. The Talbieh Girls’ school has more than 1,100 refugee students and 38 teachers.
-
In addition to serving as Tánaiste - the equivalent of deputy prime minister in Ireland’s political system – Micheál Martin is also Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence.
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.
Your support is crucial to help us provide emergency aid
to displaced families in Gaza
