BFF-45 UN Palestinian schools to open on time despite US freeze

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UN Palestinian schools to open on time despite US freeze

JERUSALEM, Aug 16, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Hundreds of UN-run schools for
Palestinian refugees will open on time after fresh funding temporarily staved
off a financial crisis triggered by a US contributions freeze, the United
Nations said on Thursday.

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees said all 711 schools it runs for
526,000 pupils in the Palestinian territories, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria
would open for the coming school year.

There had been warnings from UN chief Antonio Guterres and others that the
schools might not be able to open due to funding shortages provoked by US
President Donald Trump’s decision to withhold aid to the Palestinians.

The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) said it had
mobilised an additional $238 million since the start of the year, but added
that it currently only had enough cash to keep its services operating through
September.

“We need a further $217 million to ensure that our schools not only open
but can be run until the end of the year,” the agency said in a statement.

The schools are due to open over a staggered time period between August 29
and September 2.

UNRWA has faced a $300 million freeze in funding from the United States as
Trump demands changes to the agency and seeks to pressure the Palestinians to
return to the negotiating table.

Other countries have since provided additional contributions but UNRWA
says it is not enough.

The agency provides services to more than three million Palestinian
refugees and their descendants across the Middle East and employs more than
20,000 people, the vast majority Palestinians.

Last month, UNRWA announced it was cutting more than 250 jobs in the
Palestinian territories due to the funding crisis.

UNRWA was set up after the 1948 war that accompanied the creation of
Israel, during which more than 700,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled
from their homes.

Israel argues the agency is biased against it and perpetuates the Israeli-
Palestinian conflict.

UN officials and others say that the agency provides vital services to the
vulnerable communities under its mandate.

BSS/AFP/RY/1607 hrs