UN concerned as US cuts aid to Palestinian refugees agency

World
Europe

The United Nations is looking at a creative way to raise funds for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA ) for Palestinian refugees in the face of a severe cut in funding by the United States, the chief UN spokesman said on Wednesday.

US President Donald Trump has drastically slashed its contributions compared to the more than 350 million US dollars in funds for UNRWA in 2017, telling the UNRWA on Tuesday it was contributing only 60 million dollars.

Palestinians hold signs during a protest against aid cut, outside United Nations' offices in Gaza City, January 17, 2018. /Reuters Photo

"We'll have to wait and see who can fill the gap," Stephane Dujarric, the UN spokesman said. "UNRWA is looking at a creative way to raise funds and we do obviously hope that the United States will contribute more and if not, others will step up to the plate."

"Our concern is obviously for this dramatic cut in resources to UNRWA which we see very much as a stabilizing force and presence in the area," he told reporters at a daily briefing.

Asked if the budget-trimming was an indication of Trump's animosity toward the world organization, Dujarric said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres continues to have a very constructive and useful relationship with the United States, especially with US permanent representative Nikki Haley.

UNRWA was created in 1949 to provide direct relief and works programs to Palestinian refugees, in order to prevent conditions of starvation and distress and to further conditions of peace and stability.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency