U.S. Cut In Funding For U.N. Agency Assisting Palestinian Refugees Will Harm Health, Education, Food Access, UNRWA Head Says

Reuters: Schools, health could be hit by U.S. cut for Palestinian refugee funds: UNRWA chief
“A cut in U.S. funding for a U.N. agency that helps Palestinian refugees will affect regional security and could put vital health, educational, and food services at risk, its chief said on Wednesday, adding he would appeal for world donations…” (Lubell/al-Mughrabi, 1/18).

U.N. News Centre: U.S. funding cuts for U.N. Palestine refugee agency put vital education, health programs at risk
“The decision by the United States to withhold more than half its annual funding commitment to the United Nations relief agency providing aid for Palestine refugees threatens ‘one of the most successful and innovative human development endeavors in the Middle East,’ the head of the body said Wednesday, warning that the rights and dignity of an entire community are at stake. In a statement Wednesday, Pierre Krähenbühl, the commissioner general of UNRWA, said [the] U.S. government announced a contribution of $60 million for the U.N. agency, down from $350 million total contribution by the country in 2017…” (1/17).

Washington Post: ‘A death sentence’: Palestinians slam U.S. decision to cut aid as U.N. pleads for new donors
“…The U.S. decision to reduce funding to the U.N. aid agency makes good on President Trump’s threat this month to withhold money if the Palestinian Authority refuses to take part in a peace process being prepared by the administration…” (Balousha et al., 1/17).

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