Recognizing the important role that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, or UNRWA, plays in assisting Palestinian refugees and maintaining regional stability, the United States will continue to provide it with financial support in the coming year, beginning with an initial contribution of $55 million. Of this contribution, $29 million will support UNRWA's core services in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank, and Gaza, $24 million will support the Agency's emergency programs in the West Bank and Gaza, and 2 million will support UNRWA's ongoing relief assistance in Lebanon. The Agency, established in 1948, is the only UN agency dedicated to aiding refugees from a specific region. Today UNRWA serves some 5 million registered Palestinian refugees living in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank and Gaza. The Agency aids the poorest families by providing food and monetary assistance, and is the main healthcare provider for the Palestinian refugee population. To help alleviate poverty, UNRWA invests in training and education. It operates one of the largest school systems in the Middle East, including vocational and technical schools, as well as teacher training colleges. |