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Statement by New York, 4 November 2002 Mr. Chairman, My delegation would like to begin by expressing its appreciation to the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Mr. Peter Hansen, for the valuable report to this Committee. With the turbulent events of the past year in mind, this is an auspicious moment also to show appreciation to the men and women who continue to serve UNRWA with dedication and commitment in spite of a plethora of difficulties and even personal danger. Indonesia would once again like to reiterate its support for the mandate and achievements of UNRWA, as it has proved to be one of the most successful humanitarian programmes ever undertaken by the United Nations, and deserves the commendation of all Member States of this body. Mr. Chairman, The past year witnessed intensified violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, resulting in heavy loss of life and destruction of property. In turn, we have all been witnesses to the heavy military aggression in West Bank towns and cities by Israel that have also led to heavy loss of life and widespread destruction of Palestinian property. Furthermore, as indicated in the report of the Commissioner-General, the severe economic downturn afflicting the Palestinian economy in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip intensified during the reporting period. For example, over 75,000 Palestinians were estimated by a World Bank report in March 2002 to have lost their jobs in Israel and the Israeli settlements, and another 60,000 inside the Palestinian areas. Through all this, not only have the men and women of UNRWA had to continue to assist those caught in the deteriorating humanitarian crisis, the organization itself found that its own operations were disrupted, its offices and equipment destroyed. UNRWA staff has also been subject to harsh and inhuman treatment by Israeli forces. It is worthy of note, Mr. Chairman, that in addition to such lifethreatening situations, the Agency also endured closures of its operations, restrictions and checkpoint delays. Given all this, and the fact that humanitarian conditions deteriorated to conditions unseen in decades, it is of particular satisfaction that UNRWA has continued to serve Palestinian refugees so well. As might have been expected, there was a dramatic increase in the numbers of the homeless during the period, with an estimated 2,269 shelters in the West Bank housing 13,145 refugees sustaining damage. This represented new concerns and new burdens for the resources of the Agency. According to the report before us, UNRWA currently faces major challenges with regard to the maintenance and quality of the institutions that it has developed in order to provide its refugee services. It is our hope that donors will take the required steps to ensure that the solid record of achievement of UNRWA is not put in jeopardy. We note with satisfaction UNRWA's strides in the fields of education, health communication and internal management reforms, and relief and social services. Of particular mention is the successful introduction of an income-generating programme in the West Bank under which it has provided 8,523 loans worth $6.51 million to Palestinian-owned enterprises. Mr. Chairman, The delegation of Indonesia believes that these are giant strides for a United Nations agency that has had to operate in such hostile circumstances, but has refused to buckle under those difficulties. We agree with the Commissioner-General of UNRWA when he says in his report that the Agency has become the symbol of the international community's commitment to the well-being of the Palestinian refugees until a just and durable settlement of the refugee problem is achieved. Indonesia is pleased to continue to extend its support to the UNRWA, and to the Palestinian cause, as it has always done. It is important for all Member States and donors to offer political, economic and humanitarian support to the struggle of the Palestinian people for self-determination and independence, and in this regard, to ensure that UNRWA does not lack the resources to fulfill its mission. In our view, the work of this Agency is a viable foundation for peace and stability in the Middle East, and it has earned our respect and the right to depend on our unconditional support. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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