Amman, Feb 4 (Petra) — The Lower House’s Foreign Affairs Committee said Tuesday Jordan is exerting efforts to maintain the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and warned against suspending its services.

During a meeting with UNRWA Director in Jordan Olaf Baker in the attendance of Department of Palestinian Affairs Director General Rafiq Kharfan, head of the committee MP Dina Al-Basheer said Jordan is making efforts to halt Israel’s ban of UNRWA, which will have serious repercussions on the region.

She noted the Arab League Council held an extraordinary session at Jordan’s request, in coordination with Palestine and Egypt, to counter the decision to ban UNRWA, and called on donor countries to meet their obligations towards the refugee agency.

She also referred to an initiative of joint commitment towards UNRWA by Jordan, Kuwait and Slovenia.

Al-Basheer reviewed His Majesty King Abdullah’s efforts in supporting the refugee agency and putting the focus on the Palestinian issue, reiterating Jordan’s rejection of the suspension of the agency’s operations in Palestine and warning that defunding it is a breach of international and humanitarian standards.

The House believes that halting UNRWA’s work will increase chaos in the region, she said, adding that Jordan is coordinating with donor nations to continue providing aid to refugees.

She said UNRWA provides services to people in 13 refugee camps in Jordan, warning that a suspension of its operations would increase the burden on the Kingdom and put pressure on its resources.

For his part, Baker commended Jordan’s support of UNRWA by all means in order to carry out its task of serving refugees.

//Petra//SS

04/02/2025 17:39:11