Saudi Arabia a strategic partner in UN support for Palestine refugees amid concerns about escalating violence

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For the first time since 2020, UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini Visited Saudi Arabia on January 28th and 29th at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The longstanding Saudi solidarity with Palestinian refugees was high on the agenda of his talks with Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed ElKhereji and King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center Supervisor-General Dr. Abdallah al Rabeea.

Recent escalation regarding

A later meeting with the Chairman of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, His Royal Highness Prince Turki Al-Faisal, focused on the fragility of the situation in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the worrying escalation over the past week.

At least seven Israelis were killed and three injured in a terrorist attack outside a Jerusalem synagogue on Friday, while nine Palestinians were killed in an Israeli raid on suspected militants at a West Bank refugee camp the previous day.

“The worrying events in the West Bank are a stark reminder of that the stability of the region often hangs by a thread‘ said Mr. Lazzarini.

“At UNRWA we look forward to working closely with Saudi Arabia as a strategic partner to ensure that the lives of refugees, particularly children and youth, continue to be positively impacted through the education, healthcare and other services the organization provides .”

Critical Services Support

The commissioner-general acknowledged again how the much-needed Saudi contribution of $27 million late last year was allocated directly to UNRWA’s core program budget and helped maintain vital services for Palestinian refugees.

All discussions during his two-day mission explored opportunities for the UN agency to work with Saudi entities on youth empowerment and employment.

Mr Lazzarini stressed the importance for UNRWA of working with Saudi Arabia as a strategic partner, particularly in areas such as Promotion of young talent and empowerment, as well as Promotion of peace and stability in the region.

“Education and modern skills are the best tools that the international community can offer to young Palestinian refugees,” he said. “By helping them build their future, we would also be sending them a message that they are not alone.”

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