UNRWA PRESS RELEASE

HER HIGHNESS SHEIKHA MOZA BINT NASSER OF QATAR PARTNERS WITH UNRWA TO
EDUCATE CHILDREN AFFECTED BY OCCUPATION AND CONFLICT

14 November 2012

Doha, Qatar

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)
has entered into a strategic partnership agreement with the Office of Her
Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser of Qatar to promote education for children
living under occupation and in conflict zones.

The agreement, signed at the launch of Sheikha Moza’s worldwide “Educate a
Child” initiative, sets out a plan for both sides to co-operate in advancing
primary education for Palestine refugee children, with a special focus on
those whose access to school has been hampered by conflict.

“Vulnerable populations know best that primary education is one of the
fundamental building blocks of a productive and happy life”, said UNRWA
Commissioner-General Filippo Grandi. “For Palestine refugees, educational
achievement has long been a national priority; a source of pride and
identity. UNRWA has been able to serve them well, now educating half a
million Palestine refugee children every day. This new partnership with the
Office of her Highness Sheikha Moza recognises the urgent needs of these
children to be assisted with their education despite the deplorable
conditions in which they live.”

Background information

UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949
and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some
5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine
refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve
their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their
plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social
services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency
assistance.

Financial support to UNRWA has not kept pace with an increased demand for
services caused by growing numbers of registered refugees, expanding need,
and deepening poverty. As a result, the Agency's General Fund, supporting
UNRWA’s core activities and 97 per cent reliant on voluntary contributions,
has begun each year with a large projected deficit. Currently the budget
deficit stands at USD 37 million.

For more information, please contact:

Peter Ford
Representative of the UNRWA Commissioner-General
Mobile: +962 (0) 77 676 0062
Office: +962 (0) 65 80 8521
p.ford@unrwa.org

Sami Mshasha
UNRWA Arabic Spokesperson
Mobile: +972 (0)54 216 8295
Office: +972 (0)2 589 0724
s.mshasha@unrwa.org