Sun Lei, Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, stated at the pledging conference for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) on June 30 that funding shortages have severely constrained UNRWA’s capacity to deliver assistance. The international community, traditional donors in particular, ought to scale up support to help UNRWA weather its financial crisis.
Sun Lei noted that for over 70 years, mandated by UN General Assembly resolutions, UNRWA has provided relief services to Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and other locations, playing a vital role in alleviating refugees’ sufferings and maintaining regional stability. Especially following the outbreak of the Gaza conflict, UNRWA staff have risked their lives to sustain the last lifeline for more than two million people, with over 390 UNRWA employees having lost their lives in the line of duty.
Sun Lei pointed out that UNRWA has faced persistent attacks and suppression for some time. Ensuring the normal operation of UNRWA bears on the survival and well-being of more than five million refugees, upholds the authority of the United Nations and multilateralism, and safeguards the prospect of a solution to the Palestinian question. China firmly opposes any suppression targeting UNRWA. It calls on all parties to offer all necessary facilitation and support for UNRWA to carry out its humanitarian work, and urges Israel to effectively guarantee UNRWA’s privileges, immunities and unimpeded discharge of its mandate.
Sun Lei emphasized that China firmly supports the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights. It has long provided humanitarian and development assistance to Palestine, and has consistently and will continue to deliver steady financial support to UNRWA. China stands ready to work with the international community to back UNRWA in fulfilling its mandate, advance a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, ease the humanitarian crisis, implement the two-State solution, and achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question at an early date.
