AHLC and other reports

Statement by United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process,
Nickolay Mladenov, on new restrictions at Kerem Shalom crossing
Jerusalem, 10 July 2018

“I am concerned by the consequences of Israel’s decision to temporarily suspend imports and exports with the exception of basic humanitarian supplies through the Kerem Shalom crossing.
Humanitarian assistance is no substitute for commerce and trade. I urge the authorities to reverse this decision.
Hamas and other Palestinian factions in Gaza should also do their part by maintaining calm, stopping incendiary kites and preventing other provocations.
The United Nations is continuing its engagement with Israeli and Palestinian counterparts, as well as regional and international partners, to reduce tensions, support intra-Palestinian reconciliation and resolve all humanitarian challenges. This latest development must not divert us from this urgent course of action.
Everyone must step back from the trajectory of confrontation and escalation.”

[ENDS]

Secretary-General's remarks to UNRWA Pledging Conference [as delivered]

Mr. President of the General Assembly,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

We in the international community face a constant challenge – to address urgent matters while also keeping our focus on long-term priorities.

This Pledging Conference for UNRWA is about doing both.

The outstanding work of UNRWA has an immediate effect by meeting the urgent humanitarian needs of millions of Palestine refugees in the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

At the same time, this work provides a foundation of hope and dignity – serving as a critical conflict prevention mechanism in a turbulent region and moving our world closer to the promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to leave no one behind.

For decades, UNRWA’s high quality education has set the standard in the region.

Gender parity has been the norm in schools for generations, an extraordinary accomplishment anywhere, let alone in a region that has struggled with this issue.

UNRWA health care has attained near universal immunization.

UNRWA microfinance programs have invested $500 million in small business, with a focus on female-led households, raising Palestinian families out of poverty.

And UNRWA’s food assistance to 1.7 million refugees keeps hunger at bay.

All these efforts have taken place in an environment of chronic economic hardship and conflict.

I am deeply grateful to the governments that have already contributed to UNRWA this year.

Many of you advanced your funding, which provided the breathing space for UNRWA to react to its unexpected financial crisis.

At the extraordinary ministerial conference in Rome and the League of Arab States Summit in Dammam, many more countries stepped up.

Thanks to $200 million in new funding, UNRWA has been able to maintain its vital services.

At the same time, UNRWA has taken extraordinary measures to reduce its expenditures by an additional $92 million.

It has launched the campaign Dignity is Priceless to raise funds from individuals.

It has received funding from the Central Emergency Response Fund, as well as from new mechanisms, such as a partnership with the innovative Education Cannot Wait fund.

It is developing a Trust Fund with the World Bank and the Islamic Development Bank; it developed itself an endowment fund as proposed by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

In short, UNRWA has reacted swiftly to the crisis -- seeking all available tools, reaching out to traditional and non-traditional financing.

In time, I believe these efforts will create a sustainable funding base for UNRWA’s future.

But these innovative efforts will not be sufficient to fully close the funding shortfall this year.

We count on you, the Member States of the United Nations, to make up the difference.

At the General Assembly, the international community made a collective commitment to provide assistance to Palestine refugees.

I know too well the pressure you face when demands are great and resources are scarce.

But we cannot afford to allow UNRWA’s vital efforts to falter.

Failure to provide desperately needed resources comes with a price.

More hardship for communities. More desperation for the region. More instability for our world.

We need look no further than Gaza to see people who have suffered for too long and whose existence becomes more precarious by the day.

Last year I travelled there and met with UNRWA students.

They spoke with eloquence and maturity about their situation, their aspirations, and the need for peace.

We must not abandon them.

We must do everything possible to ensure that food continues to arrive, that schools remain open and that people do not lose hope.

Across the region, millions of Palestine refugees are counting on us to relieve their suffering and to help them to build a better future.

They are counting on us for action now.

I urge all of you to join together to close UNRWA’s funding gap.

It is a wise investment for today and for the future.

Thank you.

Statement by United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process,
Nickolay Mladenov, on rocket fire from Gaza
Jerusalem, 29 May 2018

“I am deeply concerned by the indiscriminate firing of rockets by Palestinian militants from Gaza towards communities in Southern Israel. At least one of which hit in the immediate vicinity of a kindergarten and could have killed or injured children.
Such attacks are unacceptable and undermine the serious efforts by the international community to improve the situation in Gaza.
All parties must exercise restraint, avoid escalation and prevent incidents that jeopardize the lives of Palestinians and Israelis.”
[ENDS]

Statement by United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process,
Nickolay Mladenov, on the opening of Rafah crossing throughout the month of Ramadan
Jerusalem, 18 May 2018

“I commend Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s decision to maintain the opening of Rafah Crossing between Gaza and Egypt, in both directions, throughout the holy month of Ramadan.
This is an important and encouraging step by Egypt and I hope that the security situation will allow for a more regular movement. Not only will Rafah’s extended opening contribute to de-escalating the explosive atmosphere in the Strip, it will also help ease the humanitarian burden on Palestinians in Gaza.”

[ENDS]