Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Head of the Department of Refugee Affairs, Ahmed Abu Holi, said that UNRWA has allocated $25 million in emergency aid to the camps in the northern West Bank.

Abu Holi pointed out in a statement issued today, Sunday, that determining the priorities for urgent response to the camps, which include rebuilding and rehabilitating housing, rent subsidies and cash assistance, rehabilitating the sanitation infrastructure, and providing emergency food vouchers, is done through coordination with the Department of Refugee Affairs and camp services committees.

He stressed the existence of continuous and regular coordination between the Department of Refugee Affairs and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), noting that more than 25 meetings will be held in 2024 to follow up on the latest developments regarding UNRWA in light of the challenges it is facing in the operational, financial and political contexts.

Abu Holi received a written message from UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, in which he stressed the agency’s keenness to continue regular coordination with host Arab countries through direct face-to-face meetings or otherwise, regarding advocacy and support for the agency, and the search for mechanisms to confront the challenges facing UNRWA, and address the outstanding problems facing the camps and refugees within the framework of its strategic plan.

Abu Houli stressed that UNRWA’s Executive Office holds frequent meetings with representatives of host countries in the Sub-Committees and Advisory Committees, and the Commissioner-General meets regularly with host governments at the ministerial level, to exchange consensual advice and political support for the Agency on the way forward.

Regarding the request of the Department of Refugee Affairs to form an independent investigation committee into Israel’s targeting of its headquarters and employees, the Commissioner explained in his letter that he had called for the investigation during all his public participations in the high-level week of the General Assembly in New York, noting that the decision to initiate the investigation is not within the authority of the Commissioner-General, and depends on the Member States.

UNRWA explained that it has developed a comprehensive plan, in coordination with the Education Cluster and the Ministry of Education of the Palestinian National Authority, which is constantly reviewed and updated to meet evolving needs. The plan, which began in November 2023, has implemented basic mental health and psychosocial support services, reaching over 450,000 children. Since August 2024, the plan has expanded to include learning activities, demonstrating UNRWA’s commitment to comprehensive support. During the first weeks of “Back to Learning”, which began in August 2024, we reached over 7,500 children, through temporary learning spaces in 36 shelters. These numbers will increase significantly once the situation allows, including the provision of humanitarian assistance for education.

Abu Holi stressed that UNRWA’s decision to resume staff work in the Gaza Strip as of October 1, 2024, is only intended to allow UNRWA to determine the location and status of all staff, including staff already working on a daily basis in Gaza, staff who have left Gaza and are living elsewhere, as well as to identify staff inside Gaza who are willing to take on tasks, other than their regular duties, to support residents in shelters, as well as to assist in the recent polio campaign, stressing that UNRWA has officially informed the Department of Refugee Affairs that it has not taken any decision or action regarding staff outside the Gaza Strip, or those unable to work.

In concluding his letter to the Department of Refugee Affairs, the Commissioner expressed his gratitude for the continued and strong support of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the host countries for UNRWA, in light of the financial crisis facing UNRWA, as well as attacks on its reputation, in addition to the catastrophic events in Gaza.