UN / UNRWA PLEDGING CONFERENCE

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Secretary-General António Guterres, standing alongside top officials in New York underscored the essential need to bolster the UN agency assisting Palestine refugees (UNRWA) across the Middle East amid continued attacks on its mandate, staff, premises and operations. UNIFEED
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STORY: UN / UNRWA PLEDGING CONFERENCE
TRT: 04:23
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 12 JULY 2024, NEW YORK CITY / FILE

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Shotlist

FILE - NEW YORK CITY

1. Wide shot, exterior UN Headquarters

12 JULY 2024, NEW YORK CITY

1. Wide shot, conference room
2. Wide shot, dais
4. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“In impossible conditions and in the midst of their own grief, the women and men of UNRWA have bravely continued their work in whatever way they can. They are the backbone of humanitarian operations in Gaza. And can you imagine what it must be like to be in this situation? Can you imagine? Our colleagues wake up day after they in a living nightmare and still deliver for Palestinians in desperate need. Because I cannot.”
5. Wide shot, dais
6. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“They are doctors, nurses, counsellors, engineers, drivers and so many others, all demonstrating incredible courage and solidarity. And they are continuing to deliver UNRWA’s mandate in desperate circumstances in Gaza, while UNRWA also strives to deliver in an increasingly challenging situation in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, championing human development and human rights.”
7. Wide shot, delegates
8. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“Hopelessness is the greatest ally of instability, and the work of UNRWA is one of the greatest factors providing hope and stability across this troubled region. Without the necessary support and financing to UNWRA, Palestine, refugees will lose a critical lifeline and the last ray of hope for a better future. To those of you who have already pledged support, I thank you. And my appeal to everyone is this; protect UNRWA, protect UNRWA's staff. And protect UNRWA's mandate, including through funding.”
9. Wide shot, dais
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA):
“For decades, the agency has been a force for stability across the region. It is a driver of human development for Palestinian refugees providing public-like services such as education and healthcare. Today, however, UN one is staggering. Under the weight of relentless attacks.”
11. Wide shot, dais
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA):
“In more than 30 years of humanitarian work, I have never encountered such blatant disregard for the protected statue of humanitarian workers, facilities and operations under international law. Turning a blind eye to these attacks sets a dangerous precedent, undermining respect for the rules based international order in other conflicts.”
13. Med shot, delegates
14. SOUNDBITE (English) Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA):
“The agency exists today because the political solution does not. It exists in lieu of a state that can deliver critical public services. If the international community commits to a political solution, UNRWA can resume its intended role supporting a time bound transition, delivering education, primary health, and social support.”
15. Wide shot, conference room
16. SOUNDBITE (English) Riyad H. Mansour, Permanent Observer to the United Nations, Palestine:
“The Palestinian people must live. The Palestinian people must be free. And peace must be achieved. Until then, UNRWA remains a permanent responsibility of the international community and remains a lifeline for the Palestine refugees. It also makes a significant contribution to regional stability that must be preserved.”
17. Wide shot, conference room

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Storyline

Secretary-General António Guterres, standing alongside top officials in New York today (12 Jul), underscored the essential need to bolster the UN agency assisting Palestine refugees (UNRWA) across the Middle East amid continued attacks on its mandate, staff, premises and operations.

Speaking at a pledging conference for the agency, the UN chief outlined the countless challenges facing Palestinian civilians in Gaza. He said, “in impossible conditions and in the midst of their own grief, the women and men of UNRWA have bravely continued their work in whatever way they can. They are the backbone of humanitarian operations in Gaza. And can you imagine what it must be like to be in this situation? Can you imagine? Our colleagues wake up day after they in a living nightmare and still deliver for Palestinians in desperate need. Because I cannot.”

Guterres said UNRWA staff, “are doctors, nurses, counsellors, engineers, drivers and so many others, all demonstrating incredible courage and solidarity. And they are continuing to deliver UNRWA’s mandate in desperate circumstances in Gaza, while UNRWA also strives to deliver in an increasingly challenging situation in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, championing human development and human rights.”

“Hopelessness is the greatest ally of instability,” he warned, stressing that through its work, “UNRWA is one of the greatest factors providing hope and stability across a troubled region.”

The UN Chief said, “without the necessary support and financing to UNWRA, Palestine, refugees will lose a critical lifeline and the last ray of hope for a better future. To those of you who have already pledged support, I thank you. And my appeal to everyone is this; protect UNRWA, protect UNRWA's staff. And protect UNRWA's mandate, including through funding.”

The agency has been supporting critical services including education, health and social services to some 5.9 million Palestine refugees, including vulnerable groups such as women, children, and persons with disabilities.

It also administers 58 refugee camps, addressing the dire humanitarian needs of over 1.6 million people across Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said, “for decades, the agency has been a force for stability across the region. It is a driver of human development for Palestinian refugees providing public-like services such as education and healthcare. Today, however, UN one is staggering. Under the weight of relentless attacks.”

Lazzarini said, “in more than 30 years of humanitarian work, I have never encountered such blatant disregard for the protected statue of humanitarian workers, facilities and operations under international law. Turning a blind eye to these attacks sets a dangerous precedent, undermining respect for the rules based international order in other conflicts.”

In the Gaza Strip, more than 38,000 Palestinians are reported to have been killed, a further 88,000 injured and about 90 percent of population displaced – many several times.

Tensions are also boiling over in the West Bank, and there are mounting fears of a spillover of the war into Lebanon as Israeli forces exchange daily fire with Hezbollah militants.

Palestinian Ambassador Riyad H. Mansour said, “the Palestinian people must live. The Palestinian people must be free. And peace must be achieved. Until then, UNRWA remains a permanent responsibility of the international community and remains a lifeline for the Palestine refugees.”

With humanitarian needs across the enclave sharply skyrocketing, UNRWA faces a severe funding crisis, with many donors suspending their funding after allegations made by Israel that some agency personnel were involved in the 7 October attacks.

Lacking clear evidence, many donor countries have resumed contributions following UN actions in response.

The annual pledging conference, held under the auspices of the General Assembly, serves as a vital platform to raise funds for these operations.

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