Top Palestinian official hails UN agency

<p>By Mehmet Kara </p> <p>ISTANBUL (AA) – Palestinian refugees’ lives are better thanks to the UN agency to help Palestinians, said Riyad Al-Maliki, Palestine’s foreign minister, on Sunday. </p> <p>Speaking at a UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) event hosted in Istanbul, Turkey’s commercial capital, Maliki thanked Afghanistan for their $1 million donation for Palestinian refugees. </p> <p>He also hailed the UNRWA’s support, saying the agency provides for the basic needs of Palestinian refugees such as education and food. </p> <p>“The UNWRA is successfully carrying out a very demanding task today. Great results have been achieved. The efforts made last year are very important,” he said. </p> <p>“Half a million children continued their education without interruption last year, thanks to the UNRWA. The lives of Palestinian refugees are better because of you,” Maliki added. </p> <p>He also thanked Turkey for hosting the event in Istanbul, saying that for decades Turkey has consistently supported the Palestinian cause. </p> <p>“Turkey and Mr. [Foreign Minister Mevlut] Cavusoglu made great efforts to support the UNRWA. There are 5.6 million Palestinian refugees and they get aid thanks to you.” </p> <p>Last year, U.S. President Donald Trump cut Washington’s annual funding for the UNRWA. The U.S. had been the agency’s largest contributor by far, providing it with $350 million each year — roughly a quarter of its overall budget. </p> <p>The UNRWA was established by the UN General Assembly in 1949 with the stated aim of providing aid and protection to Palestinian refugees in its five areas of operations: Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. </p>