(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) NEW YORK, Nov 12 (KUNA) -- Kuwait renewed its stance on continuing to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), embodied last year with a contribution of USD 50 million.
This was brought up during a speech by Kuwait at the UN General Assembly Fourth Committee (C4), delivered on Monday evening by Diplomatic Attache Ahmad Al-Duweesh.
Kuwait provided UNRWA with an additional donation of USD five million during the current year, Al-Duweesh pointed out.
He deeply appreciated all UNRWA members for their strenuous efforts despite the circumstances they were going through.
Al-Duweesh commended them for harnessing all available means to provide the necessary services to over 5.5 million Palestinian refugees across its five fields of operation.
They believe in the solid foundations of Kuwait's foreign policy in supporting humanitarian issues and the pivotal role played by UNRWA, renewing its mandate for another three years, he said.
He stressed continuing to support UNRWA due to the positive indicators contained in the report of UNRWA's former Commissioner-General, including the support by Kuwait when UNRWA faced the most serious financial crisis in 2018 going from USD 446 million to zero, and the financial discipline, which resulted in financial savings estimated at USD 500 million in the past years.
The information received regarding the financial constraints resulted in 50 students per semester and 100 daily patient visits to each doctor, making them more determined to continue the support, he said.
Al-Duweesh said that the support will contribute to upgrading educational, health and relief services, along with providing basic needs for Palestinian refugees.
He said that despite concerns over allegations made over the past few months about suspicions against some of the UN agency's officials, the assurances of the Secretary-General of the donor countries are appreciated.
Al-Duweesh wished that these suspicions will not hinder the benefit of the Palestinian refugees from the services provided by the UN agency.
He called for Israel to respect its obligations under international and human rights' laws, to lift the siege off Gaza Strip and lift all restrictions imposed on citizens and goods in Palestine.
He also stressed the need to continue these pressures until a just, lasting and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause is reached in accordance with the Arab peace initiative adopted by the Beirut summit in 2002.
Al-Duweesh added that this initiative provides the withdrawal of Israel from all the Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese occupied territories to the borders of June 4, 1967.
This initiative also ensures that the final status will be addressed in a way that would lead Palestinians to realize all their legitimate political rights, including their right to the establishment of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, he added. (end)
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