Nordic Foreign Ministers ask for additional support for Gaza and UNWRA

At a special meeting of Nordic Foreign Ministers in Oslo, the five Ministers issued a joint statement on support for Gaza and UNWRA.

“The war in Gaza has clearly shown that this conflict cannot be resolved by armed force. What is needed is a robust ceasefire and political negotiations on a lasting peace agreement, and the Nordic countries support the ongoing efforts towards a permanent ceasefire. At the same time the Ministers emphasise that the peace process must be put back on track. The destruction caused by the fighting has created an enormous need for both humanitarian assistance and reconstruction. The amount of goods being allowed into Gaza is totally insufficient to meet the need for help and reconstruction. It is vital that aid agencies are given full and unrestricted access so that they can provide humanitarian assistance, and that the borders are reopened,” say Foreign Ministers Jonas Gahr Støre, Alexander Stubb, Carl Bildt, Per Stig Møller and Össur Skarphéðinsson.

The UN, and especially UNWRA, plays a central role in coordinating humanitarian assistance and reconstruction in Gaza, and the Nordic Foreign Ministers are concerned about UNWRA’s serious financial situation. The agency faces a record budget deficit of about USD 87 million for 2009, which is made even more serious by the increased need for its services as a result of the crisis in Gaza.

The Foreign Ministers call on the international community to join together in providing financial support for UNWRA’s efforts for the people of Gaza. At the same time they warn against forgetting UNWRA’s considerable responsibilities in the rest of the region. They stress the urgent need for more financial resources to maintain UNWRA’s capacity to provide education, health and other services to Palestinian refugees and to promote development in the Palestinian community.

“UNWRA’s situation is serious, and it is essential that the international donor community joins together to support the agency’s work for Palestinian refugees in the region,” say the Ministers.

The Nordic countries are among UNWRA’s main financial supporters, and provide about 20% of its annual operating budget, as well as additional funds for emergency relief appeals and other projects. The countries therefore feel a special responsibility for finding a solution, both for the current budget deficit and in a long-term perspective. So far this year the Nordic countries have donated almost USD 75 million for the operating budget and USD 14 million in emergency relief.

As Chair of the Advisory Commission of UNWRA, Norway has appealed to a number of major donors to provide additional funds. The Nordic Foreign Ministers are backing this initiative since it is vital to mobilise current and new donors to ensure short- and long-term funding for UNWRA’s invaluable efforts.