Middle East News
Jordan "concerned" on UN budget shortfall for Palestinian refugees
Nov 18, 2009, 16:48 GMT
Amman - Jordan's Prime Minister on Wednesday expressed 'deep concern' over a budget deficit of around 140 million dollars by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA).
Jordan currently hosts more than 1.9 million Palestinian refugees in 10 camps, according to UNRWA records - around 42 percent of the total of 4.5 million refugees.
UNRWA Commissioner General Karen AbuZayd told a meeting in Jordan that the agency was facing a funding gap of around 84 million dollars and a projected budget deficit of 140 million dollars for 2010.
'UNRWA's weak financial situation hinders our ability to discharge our responsibilities to the standards Palestine refugees deserve,' she said. '
The circumstances of austerity generate anxiety among refugee communities and among our staff, as a result of which relationships with our staff unions are tense,' she added.
Jordanian prime minister Nader Dahabi spoke of his 'deep concern' at the funding gap.
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