UNRWA Needs $200 Million to Cover its Needs for 2018

Cairo: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees still needs $200 million to be able to cover its costs for the current year, UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krahenbuhl said on Monday.

At a press conference held in Egypt’s capital after a meeting with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Krahenbuhl reiterated that UNRWA has collected more than half of the funding it needs for 2018. The Xinhua also quoted him as saying that private contributions have increased following the US decision to cut its funding to the UN organization as of August 31. The official said that it is hard to accept such a decision from a partner who had been known for its generosity.

However, he expressed his enthusiasm over the fact that UNRWA had managed to cover more than half its deficit and is now trying to find other partners from whom to acquire the remaining funds it needs for the current year, with an eye toward seeking greater financial stability in 2019. (IANS)