June 7, 2004
Geneva, Switzerland

Statement by Arthur E. Dewey
United States Assistant Secretary of State
for Population, Refugees and Migration

On the occasion of this extraordinary UNRWA conference, the United States reiterates its strong support for Palestinian refugees. The United States Government is the largest bilateral donor to the Palestinian people by a considerable margin. Since the Oslo accords in 1993, the U.S. has given over $1.3 billion to the Palestinians in Economic Support Funds.

In addition, we remain the largest overall contributor to UNRWA. In 2003, we provided $88 million to UNRWA's general fund and $46 million for its emergency appeal for West Bank and Gaza, for a total contribution of $134 million.

Donor support for UNRWA's emergency appeals has been eroding recently. The 2003 appeals were only 50% funded, and the 2004 appeal risks not even achieving that level of funding. When UNRWA's emergency appeals are underfunded, there are negative consequences for the 1.6 million refugees in West Bank and Gaza. They do not receive enough food aid. There is a lack of funding to build them needed shelter. There is no money for cash assistance to the poorest. This cannot continue. Donors must restore previous levels of assistance so that the appeals are fully funded, as they were initially. The United States provided about half of the entire amount contributed to UNRWA's emergency appeals in 2003. We need others to do their share.