The Spanish Embassy funds operation costs of two UNRWA health centres

The Spanish Embassy through the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) announced their funding of the operating costs of two United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) health centres in Jordan. This contribution will enable for the continued provision of health-care to Palestine refugees for the next fifteen months.

This EUR 500,000 donation comes in addition to the generous contribution of EUR 19.5 million pledged to the Agency by the Government of Spain in 2018.

This Spanish contribution will help to sustain UNRWA health services at both clinics, ensuring for uninterrupted service delivery to Palestine refugees residing in both areas. The Agency’s health-care services include diagnosis and treatment of illness, reduction in the rate of complications from non-communicable diseases, control of communicable and non-communicable diseases, and access to medical professionals and prescription medication. This contribution will also support the training of maintenance staff for improved, industry- standard sanitation in UNRWA facilities.

The Director of UNRWA Operations in Jordan, Mr. Roger Davies, expressed his gratitude to the Spanish Embassy for its continued support of UNRWA, in particular during last year’s financial challenges, saying: “By enabling URNWA to cover the running costs of Talbyeh and Madaba health centres, the generous contribution will benefit up to 38,000 Palestine refugees of the camp’s residents and surrounding neighborhoods.” The Agency serves more than 2.3 million Palestine refugees in Jordan, including 1.6 million patient visits to UNRWA health centres in as of January 2018.

In 2018, the Government of Spain, various autonomous communities, city councils, the Spanish private sector and individuals contributed over EUR 19.5 million to UNRWA, helping the Agency survive its largest budgetary deficit to date.

Original source: UNRWA
Published on 31 January 2019