JEDDAH: The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on Monday praised the assistance offered by Saudi Arabia to support Palestinian refugees.
In a statement posted on its official website, the agency described the Kingdom as a committed donor to UNRWA that has recently donated more than $735 million.
The organization had counted on a budget of $1.2 billion for 2018 but faced a gap of $446 million when the US announced it was cutting support.
UNRWA responded to its “unprecedented” financial pressures by seeking support across UN member-states and raised an additional $382 million, bringing the shortfall for the year down to just $64 million
UNRWA was set up in 1950 to help Palestinian refugees who lost their homes because of the 1948 Middle East conflict. Its assistance includes schools, health care centers and food distribution. More than 750,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled during the 1948 war surrounding Israel’s creation.
They and all their descendants are deemed by the UN agency to be refugees who fall under its remit.
