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Fund pooled to enable schooling for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon

Xinhua, August 22, 2015 Adjust font size:

The United Nations Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA) said Friday it managed a new funding to enable the Palestinian children in Lebanon to attend school in the coming year.

"British International Development Minister Desmond Swayne announced additional funding of three million pounds (4.69 million U.S. dollars) for the U.N. Relief and Works Agency so that every Palestinian child is able to go to school," a statement by the Bristish embassy in Lebanon said.

It added that "the Palestinian students in Lebanon will benefit from the new funding to help the UNRWA schools remain open. This funding is helping UNRWA to bridge its unprecedented 101 million dollars deficit and open its 685 schools on time."

UNRWA has announced that after necessary funds were secured, the school year 2015/2016 will start according to plan in Palestine on Aug. 24, in Jordan on Sept. 1, in Lebanon on Sept. 7, and in Syria on Sept. 13.

UNRWA provides basic education for half a million Palestinian refugee children in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Gaza and the West Bank.

The statement also pointed out that "Britain's Department of International Development is the third-largest donor to UNRWA's general fund and emergency appeals, providing over 43 million pounds to UNRWA this financial year."

It stressed that "Britain is committed to supporting Palestinian refugees through UNRWA and sees education as a top priority. UNRWA plays a crucial role in an unstable region, delivering basic services and humanitarian assistance."

Lebanon currently hosts around 500,000 Palestinian refugees living in camps spread all over the country. Endit