Government of Austria contributes EUR 1.95 million to support UNRWA health services in the OPT

The Government of Austria signed an agreement amounting to EUR 1.95 million with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in support of the Agency’s health programme in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt).

Guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on health and standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNRWA delivers basic health services from its forty-three health centres across the West Bank and is responsible for contributing to a healthy living environment for Palestine refugees. UNRWA fielded some 8.5 million patient consultations across its five fields of operation during 2018, including some 1 million consultations in the West Bank. The Agency’s efforts to provide life-saving health care to Palestine refugees is part of the joint mission of the UN and host governments to address the disparities in social determinants of health and to achieve health equity.

The contribution from Austria will support the protection of Palestine refugees’ health and the reduction in disease burden. Funds will go towards ensuring adequate and timely availability of essential medicines and supplies, as well as educational materials in UNRWA health centres and clinics in the occupied Palestinian territory.

“On behalf of the Agency, I thank and commend the Austrian government for nearly doubling its support to UNRWA health programme thus responding to the Agency’s call for increased support for basic services it provides at a time of great needs for the Agency,” said Marc Lassouaoui, Chief of Donor Relations.

Austria is a long-standing supporter of UNRWA, and especially the Agency’s health programme, having contributed a total of EUR 10 million to the health programme in the oPt since 2011.

Original source: UNRWA
Published on 22 July 2019