Jordan says financial burden should not affect UNRWA services

Jordan said on Sunday any financial burdens or cut in budgets should not affect services offered by UNRWA to the Palestinian refugees in Jordan.

Jordan's Foreign Minister said the financial crisis that UNRWA is facing at present should not lead to decline in services it provides.

According to figures, there are more than 1.9 million Palestinian refugees in Jordan assisted by the UNRWA.

Jordan is in contact with donor countries to ensure that financial burdens do not affect the UNRWA's services in health and education.

The minister said the international community should increase aid to Jordan and the agency as the country is receiving large numbers of Syrian refugees.

According to UNRWA officials, the agency faces a budget deficit of about 110 million U.S. dollars this year, which is expected to affect services.

UNRWA was stablished in 1949 and is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN Member States.

UNRWA also receives some funding from the Regular Budget of the United Nations, which is used mostly for international staffing costs.

The agency's services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance, including in times of armed conflict.

It serves around 5 million Palestinian refugees in different Arab states. Endit