LITHUANIA PLEDGES CONTRIBUTION TO UNRWA
On 4 December 2012 Ambassador Raimonda Murmokaitė, Permanent representative of Lithuania to the UN, on behalf of the Government for the first time pledged financial contribution of 60.000 litas to the UNRWA General Fund for the year 2012. The pledge was made at the yearly UN Pledging Conference to United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. Lithuania expresses appreciation for the enormous work carried out by UNRWA aimed at improving the lives of Palestinian refugees, including in Syria, stressed Ambassador Murmokaitė. The continuing underfunding of the Agency which poses challenges to its ability to respond to the needs of the refugees.
Statement by
Ambassador Raimonda Murmokaitė
Permanent Representative to the United Nations
at the Ad Hoc Committee of the General Assembly
for the Announcement of Voluntary Contributions
to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees
in the Near East
4 December 2012, United Nations, New York
Mr. President,
Deputy Commissioner-General,
First of all, I would like to thank the Commissioner-General Filippo Grandi for his dedication and personal effort in steering UNRWA to provide humanitarian and human development services to five million Palestinian refugees.
Lithuania expresses appreciation for the enormous work carried out by UNRWA aimed at improving the lives of Palestinian refugees, including in Syria. We are well aware of the continuing underfunding of the Agency which poses challenges to its ability to respond to the needs of the refugees.
Keeping this in mind, besides its contribution through the European Union assistance funds, Lithuania has decided for the first time to contribute directly to UNRWA General Fund. The amount earmarked for UNRWA will be transferred in the nearest future.
I thank you, Mr. President.
