press releases 2007
U.S. Ambassador Announces $3.5 million Contribution to UNRWA Flash Appeal
June 6, 2007
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey D. Feltman announced yesterday that the United States intends to contribute $3.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) 2007 Flash Appeal for Palestinian refugees in North Lebanon. This contribution will provide urgently needed humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees in Lebanon displaced by the actions of the terrorist group, Fatah al-Islam, in Nahr al-Barid refugee camp. Ambassador Feltman made the announcement at a briefing about the situation in the north hosted by Prime Minister Siniora at the Grand Serail on June 5, 2006. The Ambassador said, "The United States backs fully the efforts by the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Lebanese government in eliminating the threat posed by Fatah al-Islam. At the same time, the United States also shares the deep concern expressed by Prime Minister Siniora about the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian refugee population of Nahr al-Barid displaced by the fighting. We hope that the Palestinians are able to return safely to Nahr al-Barid as soon as possible. In reference to UNRWA's Flash Appeal for $12.66 million to provide humanitarian relief to the displaced Nahr al-Barid refugees and their hosts in the Beddawi camp, the United States announces its intent to contribute $3.5 million. This is nearly 28 percent of UNRWA's Flash Appeal for Palestinian refugees in North Lebanon."
The
United States is UNRWA's largest bilateral donor. In February 2007, the United States made an initial contribution of $50 million to UNRWA's 2007 General Fund to support education, health, and social programs in UNRWA's five fields of operation (Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip); additional contributions will soon be made, including a $1.65 million earmark to UNRWA's Lebanon Camp Rehabilitation Initiative. In 2006, the
United States contributed $84.15 million to UNRWA's General Fund and another $52.85 million to its emergency appeals in
Lebanon, West Bank and
Gaza.
