UNRWA welcomes findings, recommendations of independent review on its work

New York: The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) on Monday said that it welcomed the findings and recommendations of the independent review (group report)on the Agency's adherence to the humanitarian principle of neutrality. The UNRWA said in a statement that it "is firmly dedicated to applying UN values and humanitarian principles. The recommendations in this report will further strengthen our efforts and response during one of the most difficult moments in the history of the Palestinian people." "The report confirms that UNRWA has established - over many years - policies, mechanisms and procedures to ensure compliance with the principle of neutrality. The report confirms that the Agency has systems to address allegations of neutrality breaches, including through disciplinary sanctions," the statement said. According to the statement, "It also confirms that between 2022 and 2024, the Agency reviewed all external allegations and opened investigations when evidence of misconduct was present." "Safeguarding the neutrality of the Agency is central to our ability to continue saving lives and contributing to the human development of Palestine Refugees in the Gaza Strip as it faces an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, and in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), Syria, Lebanon and Jordan," the statement added. "The report recognizes the complexity of UNRWA's mandate within a highly political context. It makes a series of recommendations that the Agency commits to act upon, namely in the areas relating to engagement with donors, governance, management and internal oversight, neutrality of staff and installations, education, staff unions and enhanced cooperation with UN Agencies," the statement explained. "UNRWA commits to working on expanding internal oversight, and engage with partners, including donors, host countries, other UN agencies in constructive ways towards the common goal of increasing impact and adherence to humanitarian principles," the statement underlined. "UNRWA will continue to strive towards providing equitable and quality education, regularly reviewing and improving the content of its education programme to ensure that it adheres to values that contribute to peace, tolerance and human rights," the statement further emphasized. "UNRWA is developing an action plan, with a timeline and budget to take forward the report's recommendations. Implementing some of the recommendations will require extensive engagement with staff and partners, including member states, hosts and donor countries," the statement noted. Concluding the statement, "the Agency looks forward to cooperating with all concerned stakeholders to implement the recommendations." Source: Jordan News Agency