Statement by Mr. Yusuke Shimizu
On Agenda Item 54:
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
At the Meeting of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee
(4th Committee)
10 November 2015
Mr. President,
At the outset, I would like to thank Mr. Pierre Krähenbühl, Commissioner-General of UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) for his detailed and impassioned briefing yesterday.
This year marks the 65th year of operation for UNRWA. These 65 years testify to the long standing commitment of the Agency to the refugees. It is however a stark reminder that four generations of Palestinians remain without a state to call home. Until Israel and a future independent Palestine state can live side-by -side in peace and security, UNRWA will continue to be called upon as the principal source of relief and services to the Palestinian refugees in Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. The scale and significance of UNRWA’s operation makes it not only a pillar of support to the five million refugees, but a bulwark of stability in an increasingly volatile region.
Mr. President,
In light of the importance of UNRWA’s operation, we are concerned that the agency must carry out its operations against a backdrop of recurring budgetary constraints and in conditions that are increasingly precarious for its staff.
In this regard, we reiterate our appreciation to the dedication and courage of the staff of UNRWA and express our sincere condolences to those that have lost their lives in the line of duty. Japan notes with concern that dozens of staff remain missing or detained and call on all relevant for their immediate release. In this regard, we also all on all parties to accord unfettered access and protection to the Agency and its staff as they carry out their assistance mandate in the areas of operation.
Mr. President,
With regards UNRWA’s budgetary concerns, we note with appreciation the on-going cost efficiency efforts being implemented by the Agency, which has already shown positive signs. Additionally, we welcome efforts to expand the donor-base, and note with particular appreciation the increased donations from regional states. Furthermore, we commend and further urge the Agency to seek untapped channels of support, including from international and regional financial institutions. On this topic, whilst we appreciate and continue to urge further cost efficiency, we underline that such efforts should not come at a cost of jeopardizing the necessary provision of life-saving relief services and core services such as education.
Mr. President,
With the conviction that the plight of Palestinian refugees affects us all; Japan contributed a record amount of 45 million USD in 2014, for a cumulative total of 716 million USD in assistance to the Agency. Last month, in response to growing needs, the Government of Japan disbursed 5.7 million dollars in additional food aid through the Agency.
Furthermore, Japan appreciates and supports the role played by host communities and has continued to support host communities such as Jordan and Lebanon, both bilaterally and through UNRWA, in addressing their increasing needs. Whilst reiterating our appreciation to their efforts, we urge host communities to maintain open borders for Palestine refugees fleeing the conflicts of region.
Mr. President,
The provision of life-saving services, such as health programs, relief and social services and sanitation, remains fundamental. But as is the case for any citizen, mere survival is not the end goal. As the Commissioner General has emphasized yesterday, the international community’s assistance should seek to not only provide relief but also to help Palestinians lead dignified and fulfilling lives, by empowering individuals and helping attain economic sustainability, particularly in light of the deteriorating economic situation of Palestine, particularly in Gaza.
This is why we must not let a situation where the educational opportunities of 480,000 Palestinian children and youths are put in danger for financial reasons. It is the reason behind Japan’s efforts to provide more than 2.6 million children, including Palestinian refugees, with textbooks and educational awareness programs under the “Back to Learning” program.
Japan will continue its efforts to this end, firm in our belief that a viable economy underpins the feasibility of any political solution. Through initiatives such as CEAPAD (Conference on the Cooperation among East Asian countries for Palestinian Development), we will continue to mobilize East Asian experiences of development and help build sustainable employment opportunities on the ground through projects such as the Jericho Agro-Industrial Park.
In this regard, we note that the ongoing blockade of Gaza is hampering not only the reconstruction process, but is also taking its toll on economic prospects. We thus call for the further opening of Gaza crossings to allow the impeded flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons, with due regard for security concerns.
Mr. President,
Last week, we welcomed the visit of Commissioner-General Mr. Krähenbühl to Japan. In his meeting with our Prime Minister, the Commissioner-General was accompanied by children from Gaza. These were the very children who despite their own difficult circumstances had for years sent messages of solidarity and hope halfway around the globe to the victims of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Such manifestation of humanity touches at the heart of why we must continue to be involved, and why their plight is our plight.
One of the girls, a thirteen year old girl named Ms. Rawan, thus addressed our Prime Minister: “we need hope and dignity more than anything else”. Let us heed her call for support. Japan for its part will continue to strengthen our cooperation with UNRWA in providing not only relief in nurturing and fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of every Palestinian refugee like her.
