Romanian FM visits UNRWA in Jordan, announces new contribution to agency

AMMAN — A high-level Romanian delegation led by Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu visited the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Jordan on  Sunday and met with Leni Stenseth, deputy commissioner-general of UNRWA, and  Marta Lorenzo, director of UNRWA affairs in Jordan. 

The delegation discussed the socioeconomic situation of Palestine refugees in Jordan and the other fields of UNRWA operations, as well as the importance of protecting and strengthening the agency’s humanitarian and development services to this vulnerable population, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, protracted conflicts in the region, and recurrent funding crises, according to a statement from the agency.

In the meeting, Aurescu said: “Romania appreciates the important work of UNRWA in providing assistance and basic services to Palestine refugees in the region. In recognition of this and the agency’s call for sustained financial and political support, I am pleased to announce a new contribution of 150,000 euros to UNRWA to support the delivery of core services.”

The funds from Romania will go towards education and healthcare services in all five fields of UNRWA operation and help to ensure uninterrupted service delivery, especially now as UNRWA is facing a difficult financial crisis, according to the statemnt.

Stenseth said: “We are grateful for our partnership with Romania and for the timely announcement of this new contribution as we intensify our efforts to mobilse the international community around developing a forward-looking and sustainable vision for UNRWA to effectively protect and assist Palestine refugees, pending a just solution to their plight.”

Lorenzo said: “We are very grateful for the opportunity to engage with Romania on the situation of Palestine refugees in Jordan, including those who have been displaced from Syria. This community deserves the continued support of our international partners, especially as the impact of COVID-19 dramatically reverses their development opportunities.”

Romania has been a financial contributor to UNRWA since 2007, providing support to the agency’s core services, as well as emergency support to flash appeals in response to humanitarian needs arising from conflict in Gaza as well as displacement in Lebanon, the statement said.