Interview with Sami Msha'sha', Public Information, UNRWA
On the issue of Protection
The constant
call by Palestinians, including therefugees, for international
protection underlines the prevailing sense of worry and uncertainty
about the future. The "protection" theme has been
raised before by UNRWA's Commissioner- General in his meeting with
refugees and camps' activists.
It is true, as the refugees in the West Bank and Gaza have pointed
out, that UNRWA ran an effective "Passive Protection" programme
during the previous intifada. It is also true that the "Refugee
Affairs Officers" programme created a sense of protection and was
credited with saving lives and reducing tension. But it is also
true that the situation that prevailed then was completely
different from the situation that prevails today.
The fact that there exists a Palestinian Authority and the existence of various agreements and understandings regulating the relationship between the Palestinian and Israeli authorities changes things. In addition, the way the situation plays itself out on the ground, the recourse to different means during the clashes and the confrontations, including the use of tanks, gunships, shelling, and heavy machinegun fire renders the previous approach during the first intifada ineffective. A quick appraisal as to the intensity of the clashes, the large number of Palestinians killed and injured in the past eight weeks attest to the above.
"Protection" takes different forms and could be articulated at different levels. Indeed in several other crises around the world the dispatching of peacekeeping forces or other "Protection" forces proved, at times, to be less effective than envisioned. UNRWA, even though it is a large humanitarian agency, does not work in a void and any discussion about actual "Protection" involves first and foremost the concerned disputing parties and takes place in a very complex international setting.
UNRWA's 10,000 staff members that work in the West Bank and Gaza field offices are present on a daily basis among the refugees andthat could be looked at as an engaging form of protection. UNRWA's ability to continue rendering regular services despite the closures and other obstacles and to couple it with effective emergency services is yet another form of practical protection. UNRWA in that regard seeks to re-enforce its operational response.
Finally comprehensive and accurate reporting to the United Nations headquarters in New York by UNRWA is a major component of protection. On a daily basis and since the start of the on-going clashes, UNRWA sends detailed reports about the situation to concerned bodies of the United Nations.
Assistance Role
Emergency Appeal
Since the beginning of the clashes, UNRWA has placed it health
services on an emergency footing, providing a 24-hour service in
areas most affected. UNRWA has also used itsambulances in the West
Bank and the Gaza Strip to transport the injured. The Agency's
43-bed hospital in Qalqilya, West Bank, has treated many of the
most severely injured.
In view of the deteriorating economic situation, UNRWA launched a special Emergency Appeal to assist the refugee community in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. With its large operational capacity in the field, and working closely with the refugee community, UNRWA has a special understanding of the most urgent needs; this should enable the Agency to deliver help quickly where it is most required.
The $39 million emergency appeal for contingency will cover our needs for the next three months; some $20.5 million for Gaza and some $18.8 million for the West Bank. The appeals covers many different categories but the main thrust is Relief including essential food supplies, shelter, and cash assistance and employment gene ration.
Medical Assistance, includes physical rehabilitation and counseling for the several thousands injured or disabled as a result of recent clashes. The top priority is for food and shelter. Some $30 million, or 75% of the appeal is to fund basic food commodities and blankets, the repair of shelters, cash assistance for those who have had to move out of damaged/vulnerable shelters, and cash subsidies to the very poor.
Through this appeal the Agency will be able to give food (flour, rice, sugar, milk, lentils) to 127,000 families or some 85% of the refugee population in Gaza, blankets to some 16,000 refugee families and cash assistance to the 1,000 relocated families affected by the shelling ($800 one-off payment) and to 5,000 (3 x $300) of the poorest families.
UNRWA will be able to repair or reconstruct some 600 shelters damaged by the fighting. UNRWA will also give post-injury social help to the permanently disabled (estimated at 3,000 refugees) to the value of almost $800,000 for special food items, transport to medical facilities, and prosthetic devices.
In the West Bank the appeal money will go to provide emergency food provisions and cash subsidies in lieu of food ($40 each to some 90,000 poor families) as well as selective cash assistance ($250 to 30,000 families), cash subsidies to repair or reconstruct some 2,000 shelters which have been damaged by violence, blankets to some 10,000 families, and 5,000 tents.
Due to the rising unemployment, with unemployment estimates in the Occupied Territories ranging from 40-65% (Compared toaround 11% before the current crisis), the Agency intends to provide short-term jobs at a cost of just over $400,000 for sanitation laborers and social workers (the latter to assess eligibility and facilitate delivery of emergency assistance to needy families) in Gaza, and community-based infrastructure works with a budget of $1.8 million in the West Bank.
Until 7 December, six countries have announced pledges totaling some $22 million towards the $39 million special emergency appeal that UNRWA launched on 8 November. One country, the Netherlands, announced a pledge of $13 million, or one-third of the total amount of the emergency appeal. Other major pledges to the appeal came from the United Kingdom, (5 million pounds or about $7.1 million at current exchange rate). Denmark ( 5.8 million Danish kroner, or $670.000); Switzerland (1 million Swiss francs or some $568.000); Norway (5 million Norwegian Korea or $536.500); and Sweden (1 million Swedish Krona or just under $100.000). It is expected that the United States will be contributing a considerable amount toward the fund.
Secondary Education in Lebanon
In accordance with the mandate, UNRWA provides basic education only
at the elementary and preparatory levels. However, due to the
living conditions of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, UNRWA has
exceptionally introduced secondary education since 1993, for
students aged 16-18 years. By the year 2000, full secondary cycles
were available for Palestinian refugees in Beirut;
Saida and Tyre North and Beqaa areas were not covered.
Due to the steep increase of Brevet holders in the school year 1999/2000, as well as the difficult economic situation of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, UNRWA has decided to establish two new secondary schools in North Lebanon and Beqaa areas. Part of the financing of the North Lebanon school will be donated by PLO who will also contribute for the following two years in case other donations will not fully cover the relevant expenses.
Arrangements have immediately started for the establishment of
the two secondary schools on gradual basis starting with the first
secondary classes for this school year 2000/2001. The
secondary cycle will be completed by the school year 2002/2003.
Effects on UNRWA's operations of Closure, etc. All UNRWA programmes
have felt the impact of recent events. Field and HQ operations have
been affected by clashes, road closure, andtravels restriction and
communications problems.
The education programme has been greatly affected. On many occasions teachers and students have been unable to reach schools. Schools have been closed for periods of mourning. To date UNRWA schools have lost almost one month in curriculum time thus far.
Damage to school infrastructure has occurred in Khan Younis
following shelling of adjacent PA base and at al-Mazra'a school,
Aida Camp, West Bank. Children have experienced trauma. This sample
survey of damages also includes:
Health: UNRWA has experience heavy pressure on
facilities, while ambulances have been stopped by the IDF. The high
number of injures and many permanent disabilities will place great
pressure on remaining rehabilitation services.
Relief: Great need is arising from unemployment
and increasing poverty among Palestinians.
Thousands without jobs have no money to spend and therefore rely
more on UNRWA's relief services.
Income-Generation: Very serious affects have
been felt in this programme. Repayment rates are falling due to the
economic situation. The credit system is in danger of collapse.
People are
refusing loans because they know they can not repay them.
Logistics: Movement of UNRWA vehicles has been severely hindered. Local Palestinian drivers have been prevented from entering Israel. UNRWA has also experienced problems importing humanitarian goods into Gaza. Other problems include new routes, imposition of fees, new procedures and port changes.
Projects: Many projects have been ground to a halt due to restrictions on movement of laborers and materials. Privileges and immunities: In a number of cases of UNRWA vehicles/installations have been fired on/attacked. Staff have been stopped and delayed at checkpoints.
2001 Budget
The current crisis demonstrated anew the depth of feelings aroused
by the continuing absence of a solution to the Palestinian
Question, and that at the heart of that issue were the people whom
UNRWA has served for 50 years - the Palestinian refugees.
UNRWA works among the refugees. In periods of strife we are
therefore in the midst of it, trying as best we can to continue our
humanitarian work. UNRWA clinics have been kept open around the
clock. Its ambulances and medical supplies have been made available
to those affected, and newly converted mobile clinics have assisted
with medical evacuations.
Throughout its area of operations - in Jordan, the Syrian Arab Republic and Lebanon as well as in the West Bank and Gaza Strip - UNRWA has faced increasing demands for its services. The growth of the refugee population and the need to introduce new or expanded activities in its education, health, relief and social service programs has placed growing pressure on UNRWA's staff and its network of facilities.
The major donors to the Agency's budget, and the countries hosting the refugees have recognized the vital need for UNRWA's services to continue at adequate levels, in the interests of the well-being of the refugees and of continuing stability in the region. The financial stringency under which UNRWA was forced to operate - with a cash deficit of some $25 million in its budget expected by the end of this year, left little room even to meet the predictable growth in demand not to mention unexpected needs.
Years of under funding of UNRWA's budget have led to the prospect of a steady decline in the quality of services UNRWA provides. Shortfalls in the resources made available to the Agency were seen in a political light, as a sign of the weakening of that commitment. To that end our task has been not only to maintain and improve services to the refugees, but also to reassure them that we will not falter in our commitment.
Pledges of contributions worth about $38.5 million for the year 2001 financial needs of UNRWA were announced at the annual Pledging Conference for UNRWA, held at United Nation sheadquarters on 4 December 2000. Many donors were not able to make pledges at the conference that was held last week due to either their national budget cycles or parliamentary procedures.
UNRWA has presented a needs-based cash budget of some $290 million for 2001 to run its education, health, relief and social services programmes for 3.8 million Palestine refugees. In addition, the Agency is in need of some $7 million to replenish its working capital reserve, $4 million to implement new pay policies for its 22,000 local staff and $10 million for newly emerging needs of the refugee community. The lack of working capital has now required the Agency to seek a minimum of $25 million in cash income early in January 2001 just in order to be able to continue its operations.