Aller au contenu principal

Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Monaco visits Burj Barajneh refugee camp as Monaco increases funding to the agency

Pays
Liban
+ 2
Sources
UNRWA
Date de publication
Origine
Voir l'original

The Director-General of the Monegasque Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Ms. Isabelle Rosabrunetto visited Burj Barajneh Camp in Beirut, Lebanon accompanied by the Deputy Director of UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon, Ms. Daniela Leinen. The Government of Monaco increased its contribution to UNRWA in 2019, granting an additional EUR 100,000 to the current partnership. This contribution will support the MHF in Lebanon and will target beneficiaries distributed in all areas across Lebanon.

The Monaco delegation toured the camp and visited an UNRWA health clinic. The delegation was briefed on the living conditions and challenges faced by Palestine refugees in Lebanon with focus on UNRWA health services and the Medical Hardship Fund (MHF) which ensures improved access to treatment for vulnerable patients with severe and chronic health conditions. The MHF provides patients with additional financial support for their hospitalization. Conditions eligible include multiple sclerosis, cancer, thalassemia and sickle cell anemia.

Since 2011, the Agency’s partnership with Monaco has benefited Palestine refugees in Lebanon. Through Monaco’s support to the Agency, the provision of cardiology services, as well as diabetes care has significantly improved.

The Government of Monaco signed a multi-year agreement with UNRWA in support of the healthcare of Palestine refugees most in need of assistance. Monaco contributions have also supported access of secondary and tertiary hospitalization services and the provision of medication.

“Health is a priority sector of intervention of our international cooperation policy. In Lebanon, the Principality of Monaco supports health projects in several vulnerable areas. Within this framework, UNRWA is one of our partners and the Principality would like through this visit to reassure the organization and the Palestine Refugees of its continued support,” said Ms. Isabelle Rosabrunetto.

“The partnership and support from Monaco has always been invaluable to the Agency. Monaco is a key partner to UNRWA in Lebanon and the Agency looks forward working to further developing this ongoing strong partnership,” said the Director of UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon, Mr. Claudio Cordone.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

UNRWA is confronted with an increased demand for services resulting from a growth in the number of registered Palestine refugees, the extent of their vulnerability and their deepening poverty. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions and financial support has been outpaced by the growth in needs. As a result, the UNRWA programme budget, which supports the delivery of core essential services, operates with a large shortfall. UNRWA encourages all Member States to work collectively to exert all possible efforts to fully fund the Agency’s programme budget. UNRWA emergency programmes and key projects, also operating with large shortfalls, are funded through separate funding portals.

UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and mandated to provide assistance and protection to some 5.4 million Palestine refugees registered with UNRWA across its five fields of operation. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank, including East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip achieve their full human development potential, pending a just and lasting solution to their plight. UNRWA services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, protection and microfinance.

For more information, please contact:

Sami Mshasha
Director of Communications, Arabic Language Spokesperson
Mobile: +972 (0)54 216 8295
Office: +972 (0)258 90724
s.mshasha@unrwa.org

Tamara Alrifai
UNRWA Spokesperson
Mobile: +962 (0)79 090 0140
T.ALRIFAI@UNRWA.ORG