Press Release: Cuba expresses concern about the financial situation of UN agency in charge of aiding Palestine refugees.

New York, November 6, 2017.In his statement at the United Nations General Debate of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee, on Item 53 "United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East", Ambassador Humberto Rivero Rosario, Cuban representative to the international organization, recognized the untiring efforts made by the Agency’s staff to give the necessary assistance to Palestine refugees, despite having very few financial resources.  He expressed his concern about the extremely critical financial situation of the Agency and the importance of maintaining the allocation of the necessary financial resources so that its work is not affected and the Agency can continue to pay attention to the needs and rights of Palestinian refugees.                                                                               

The Cuban diplomat also rejected the actions of some States that question the humanitarian assistance provided by the Agency and threaten to eliminate their financial contribution, based on political justifications. On behalf of Cuba, he called for joining efforts to comprehensively address the recurrent funding deficit affecting the operations of the Agency, in accordance with its mandate and humanitarian needs.

Rivero Rosario explained that in the current situation, where conflicts are intensifying in the Middle East region, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East plays a vital role in improving the difficult situation faced by Palestine refugees, especially in the provision of education, health, relief and social service programs, as well as emergency assistance.                      

He emphasized that Cuba will continue to support a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, based on a two-State solution, which allows the Palestinians the right to self-determination, to have a free, independent and sovereign State, with its capital in East Jerusalem and with the pre-1967 borders; as well as the right of refugees to return.

Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations

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