[IMRA: The policy of the UN everywhere in the world – with the exception of the Palestinian refugees – is to help promote the resettlement of refugees so that they can move on with their lives. In this article UNRWA director Peter Hansen makes clear that UNRWA supports keeping the Palestinian refugees hostage to Arab-Israeli conflict.]

Full Text: UNRWA feels the pinch of the siege

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency has for the past 51 years afforded support for the Palestinian people, moving its headquarters from Geneva to Gaza five years ago.

On a visit to Egypt cut short by deteriorating conditions in the Palestinian territories, UNRWA director Peter Hansen assured that conditions in the Palestinian territories are very serious, according to him worse than they have ever been in the year-old intifada.

Hansen said that the agency is doing all it can to alleviate the suffering and fear of Palestinian citizens, who face Israeli heavy machines at night and are deprived the simplest constituents of normal living. He indicated that Israeli authorities have spared no effort in positing obstacles in the way of UNRWA employees, who are often stopped at checkpoints and denied travel permits. Additionally, occupation authorities force UNRWA employees at times to abandon their vehicles and walk, subjecting them to grave danger by gunfire often aimed just above their heads to scare them. “Despite it all,” said Hansen, “we are able to help residents and afford them food, thanks to the courage of our cadres.”

As for the situation in Gaza, Hansen said that 80% of Gaza residents are registered at UNRWA as refugees. “We do not ask people seeking assistance to show refugee cards at present because of the prevalent conditions. We help whoever is in need, which at present includes 50% of the people.”

About reaction to the difficulties and impediments imposed by Israeli authorities, Hansen explained, “we continue to submit complaints about Israeli practices and obstacles impeding our operation.” He indicated that he would forward his annual report to the UN in September to indicate the Israeli harassment.

On another front, the UNRWA general director emphasized the need to coordinate efforts to escape the current crisis, indicating that the freeze of normal life affects the Israelis more than it does the Palestinians, who have endured long years of torment.

Hansen called for efforts to convey clearly the situation on the ground, without diminishment or exaggeration, indicating that the time has come to remedy the miserable conditions of refugees, totaling four million, who have for four generations yearned for a better life. Hansen assured that the plight of refugees cannot continue as is and that the Palestinians cannot wait forever.

Concerning Israeli claims that it can withstand the current fight until the year 2006 said Hansen, “this would bode ill for the Palestinians. However, the situation would be much worse for Israel as an occupying country using force to impose its policies.”

Commenting on the use of US-made jet fighters against Palestinian civilians Hansen offered, “I do not think the US afforded those fighters to Israel to be used against civilians and refugees. I am convinced that Washington makes clear to every party it supplies with weapons and military ability the boundaries they must honor in using those weapons.” As for his outlook regarding an end to the crisis and the Israeli escalation of military action by infiltrating Palestinian territories, Hansen indicated that there is no easy way out, stressing the need to increase efforts and support from the international community.

Hansen also replied to questions about the notion of settling Palestinian refugees in host countries and the suffering of refugees in refugee camps and the role of the agency in relieving the suffering. He said, “there could not be any discussion of settling refugees. Such consideration would only be made within the framework of a peace agreement. It is necessary for Palestinian refugees to enjoy their rights like all other refugees across the world, but I do not think that we are the point of discussing that right now and I do not believe that settlement should be considered as a solution at present. The problem requires a just solution, and until that is achieved, UNRWA will continue its work.”

Hansen indicated that the difficulty facing the agency is the lack of funding, mainly because donor countries failed to fulfill pledges they had made. He explained that the funds requested are considered vital and are considerably low, not exceeding 20 cents per refugee per day to cover healthcare, education and social services.

The UNRWA annual budget is limited to $371m covering four million refugees, which translates into $75 per refugee per year. “It is important to afford better assistance to Palestinian refugees, who make up the biggest refugee problem in the world,” said Hansen, assuring that the Palestinian refugees need and deserve support.

Hansen indicated that Egypt has increased contributions to UNRWA more than ten times, reaching $140,000, saying that if other parties followed in the footsteps of Egypt it would be easier to cope with the problem. He stressed that the international community must assume responsibility toward the plight of Palestinian refugees, considering it an international predicament. The UNRWA director, who on his short visit to Egypt met with the Secretary General of the Arab League, Amr Mousa, praised the efforts of the Arab League for supporting UNRWA.

Hansen indicated that of the $78m emergency budget defined by the agency to contend with the exceptional circumstances, only 50% has been secured, saying that important contributions have recently been made by Saudi Arabia, Libya and the UAE. Kuwait, despite its smallness, is considered one of the five top donors to UNRWA, with the other four being Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Netherlands.

Worthy of note, US contributions to UNRWA total $90m annually, while the cost of one F-16 jet fighter is $300m, equal to the entire annual budget of UNRWA.

About the dependability of UNRWA to afford refugees food and basic supplies in light of the Israeli obstacles said Hansen, “UNRWA hopes to be the channel through which Arab states afford assistance, considering the agency the most developed and versed party in distributing aid and handling emergencies. We hope that Arab countries provide support as do other states around the world.”

Hansen added that Arab nations are exhibiting great solidarity and generosity in helping the Palestinians in their unprecedented ordeal. UNRWA employees and schoolchildren in Syria donated $500,000 in support of the UNRWA emergency program, of which Hansen said, “such feelings abound in the Arab World; and it is only a matter of time until similar acts of kindness would be carried out in tangible contributions to the emergency program.”

With the nearing of the scholastic year and UNRWA assistance to students offered the agency director, “we are convinced that the situation will neither be easy nor normal, but we will do our utmost to overcome difficulty. We cannot bear the thought of seeing an entire generation deprived education.”

Hansen explained that the agency is inventing ways to cope with the situation. For example, teachers unable to leave their villages and cities were recruited at the nearest school to substitute for teachers from other areas.

Regarding the International Conference against Racism in Durban, South Africa and the discussion about equating Zionism with racism, Hansen explained that UNRWA did not participate in the conference but is a part of the UN and is based on human rights agreements. Hansen warned that using terms that cause disagreement would undoubtedly raise the magnitude of the conflict. He added, “I hope that participants in the conference reach a proper language accepted internationally without taking away from the authority or the weight of the UN and its ability to undertake its role.”

Hansen concluded, “I hope the US administration realizes the message being voiced by the world asking it to assume a leadership role concurrent with its status as the most powerful state in the world.” Al Quds

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