UNRWA says it works to ensure availability of vaccine to Palestine refugees
Phillipe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), received yesterday the first of two vaccines against COVID-19 in Ramallah in the occupied Palestinian territory through the Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Health.
UNRWA Commissioner-General @UNLazzarini just received his 1st COVID-19 vaccine shot — and he highly encourages all who have access to take it as well!
"The vaccine is safe and it is the most effective tool in preventing the spread of virus and reducing its health impact." pic.twitter.com/cA9I96tyiF
— UNRWA (@UNRWA) February 9, 2021
Following his vaccination, Lazzarini said: “I decided to receive my vaccine against COVID-19 through the Palestinian Ministry of Health and encourage all my UNRWA colleagues to get vaccinated.”
He also praised the Palestinian Minister of Health, Dr. Mai al-Kaila, for leading the efforts in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 in the Palestinian territory.
Dr. al-Kaila, a former UNRWA health official, was recently awarded with “Woman of the Decade in Public Life, Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Humanity” award from the Entrepreneurial Women’s Summit in Asia, for her key advocacy role.
Regarding the vaccination of Palestine refugees, UNRWA declared it cooperates closely with local health authorities in raising awareness on the safety and availability of the vaccine, as well as providing other assistance where needed.
Like all people, Palestine refugees have the right to health. This includes the right to immunization & treatment against major infectious diseases, without discrimination.
Get more information on the COVID-19 vaccines from @WHO 👇https://t.co/ZiUCrZgXRs
— UNRWA (@UNRWA) February 9, 2021
“My deep thanks and appreciation go to host countries that have already included the vaccination of Palestine refugees as part of their respective deployment plans,” said the Commissioner-General.
He added, “I am counting on the international community to ensure the availability of vaccines to refugees worldwide, including Palestine refugees in the occupied Palestinian territory and throughout the region.”
“This deadly pandemic knows no borders and does not differentiate between rich and poor, or refugee and non-refugee. The only way we are going to defeat COVID-19 is through a sustained effort by all responsible parties, without discrimination.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner-General Lazzarini discussed with the Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh UNRWA’s financial situation, possible ways to mobilize support for it, the resumption of US funding to the Agency, and joint coordination in terms of COVID19 vaccines for Palestinian refugees.
Today, PM @DrShtayyeh and @UNLazzarini, Commissioner-General of @UNRWA, discussed UNRWA's financial situation, possible ways to mobilize support for it, the resumption of US funding to the Agency, and joint coordination in terms of #COVID19 vaccines for #Palestinian refugees. pic.twitter.com/HOzR25O9FM
— PM of Palestine (@PalestinePMO) February 9, 2021
In the midst of an ongoing global pandemic, 5.7 million Palestinian refugees need the health care, education, protection and emergency assistance that UNRWA provides.
However, in 2018, the Trump administration had cut financial aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), a UN body that supports more than 5 million Palestinian refugees, and also slashed an aid of more than $200 million to Palestine in the same year.
In January, however, the US Ambassador to the UN Richard Mills said the Biden administration was renewing US relations with the Palestinian leadership, and restoring “credible engagement” with the Palestinians, as it works toward a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“The Biden administration will restore credible US engagement with Palestinians as well as Israelis. This will involve renewing US relations with the Palestinian leadership and Palestinian people, relations which have atrophied over the last four years,” he said.
He added, “President Biden has been clear in his intent to restore US assistance programs that support economic development and humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people.”
