JEDDAH: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has welcomed the report issued by the Independent Review Panel on UNRWA, which observed that the Agency abided by the humanitarian principle of neutrality, a statement said on Thursday.
The report mentioned the significance of UNRWA’s critical role in supporting the relief and humanitarian efforts for millions of Palestinian people experiencing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, especially in Gaza because of the Israeli military aggression that has gone on for more than six months.
The OIC also noted that the confirmation by the report of UNRWA’s adherence to effective procedures and mechanisms to promote the values of the UN and humanitarian principles is a very clear message on the incitement by Israel, the occupying power, against UNRWA, in an effort to end its role and finish off the cause of Palestinian refugees. The OIC applauded the positions of the nations that have announced new financial contributions and, at the same time, called on those that had announced the cessation of financing for UNRWA to reconsider their decisions and to resume their contributions to ensure the continuation of their responsibility of providing humanitarian services to millions of Palestinian refugees.
The OIC also reaffirmed that the existence of UNRWA and the continuation of its role are a top priority from the humanitarian perspective, a testament to the collective global commitment to the rights of Palestinian refugees, and an element of stability in the region. The OIC also renewed its commitment to the complete support of UNRWA’s role against the backdrop of its steadfast and supportive stance of the legitimate rights of the Palestinians, including their right to return, to self-determination and to establish their independent state on the border of 1967 with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
