UNRWA incurs $30m deficit
[01/08/2009 16:46]
http://petra.gov.jo/Artical.aspx?Lng=1&Section=1&Artical=126735

Amman, August 1 (Petra - Jordan news agency) -- United Nations Relief and
Works Agency (UNRWA) Director of Operations in Jordan Richard Cook said
today that the agency was reeling from extremely tough and unprecedented
financial difficulties.

He told Petra in an interview that this year's budget was estimated at $545
million dollars with a deficit of 30 million dollars, adding that the agency
had not witnessed any worse financial situation in about 50 years.

Cook said the global economic downturn had cast a shadow over the agency's
budget as many donors were facing serious problems at home.

But, he added, the European Commission, the United States, Sweden, Australia
and Britain had offered additional donations.

He said that despite commitment by the biggest donors, the agency was facing
an acute shortfall in financing at a time of increased numbers of refugees
and operational costs of services, which ratcheted up the pressure on the
agency.

"Refugees and the media should be aware of UNRWA's difficult financial
situation.

It's a fact facing us and is beyond our control, particularly as financing
is voluntary and not our annual right", he said.

He said UNRWA Commissioner's special representative, tasked with collecting
additional donations from Gulf Arab countries, had made a remarkable success
in his efforts, which would support emergency aid pleas and projects carried
out by the agency.

Cook said UNRWA, which cares for Palestinian refugees, was implementing
three emergency programmes outside the regular budget, including rebuilding
the war-ravaged Nahr El Bared refugee camp in northern Lebanon, which was
the agency's biggest project, in addition to a reconstruction and
rehabilitation programme in Gaza and the West Bank.

//Petra// S.