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U N ITED NATIONS NATI ONS U Ni ES 07-OCT-1999 15:49 COM-GEN'S OFFICE UNRUIfl HQ 009727S777699 P.01/05 U N ITED NATIONS NATI ONS U Ni ES REL1 EF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR OFFICE OE SECOURS ET DETRAVAUX POUR LES PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST REFUGIES DE PALESTINE DANS LE PROCHE-ORIENT Postal Address1- Vienna international Centre Tel: (+972-7)6777700 P.O. Box 700 A-1400 Vienna - Austria Or Fax: (-1-972-7) 677 7707 C/o HQ Amman UNRWA Headquarters (+972-7) 677 7699 P.O. Box 140157 Amman 11814 - Jordan Gaza Ct 7 October 1999 \ Dear za, have received a ^ September 1999 from the Ibd^Cujti^l^ Refugee Catnp injhe WestBank (copy attached foFease of reference). I ana enclosing with this letter a backgroxmdTnbte on the issues raised by Ibdaa, in particular their allegations about the "collapse" of a^pheisheh school building. Ibdaa have also raised political issues about the ^fiitore of JJNRWA and Palestine refiigees; we expect an increase in the volume of such demarches from the refugee co^imumtyras~iTnal status negotiations approach. UNRWA's Director of Operations in the West Bank will write to the Director of Ibdaa and Dheisheh representatives to set the record straight, drawing on the attached note. Yours sincerely, Peter Hansen Commissioner-General Mr. S. Iqbal Riza Chef de Cabinet Executive Office of the Secretary-General United Nations New York 07/10 '99 THU 09:50 [TX/RX NO 8807] ®001 0097276777699 P. 02/05 COM-CEN'S OFFICE UNRWfl HQ 07-OCT-1999 15=49 *A i \~r wj * i vvj ) opmonl of Children's JiiJI I pulturaf Exchange l.C'VC inbcr 27, 1999 ... ,-s: \$ .-- •••• i |Q U j |—""-H (—§ -' Oil" .; honorable Kofi Annaji •' i^retary General of the United Najik OGt - T fe honorable delegates and representatives the United Nations : tfldren of Dheisheh refugee camp, PaIestin<oCike refugee children all over the world, taid because our future is not safe. Andjike all children, we want to live in peace. We iffor™ dd to lose our hope, because th^t is 'fill Sve have. In o'rder to keep our hope, we noed ksep your promise to us. Please guarantee our rights ijta Palestinian refugees. You us in UN Resolution 194 ih«t you would protect our rights. Please keep your promise id us, that our hopes can come true. because the international community is ignoring our pairi, which we have because stpteless. You, at the United Nations, can help .us. Please show us that you care about us, < mow first visit to the United States, we sec the big di^fefBiSJcAetween what we have in refugpt camp end what we as children - what all children^- deserve to have. This year in our school building, where ] ,3 00 children le^^pollapsed. But instead of sending fbntis for education and infrastructure, we 1hea>*Wat:j^uhavedccided to reduce the services >vid d by UNRW.A. We know that there is qycjvpressure IrdTinhe government of the United «1 a close UNRWA altogether. We need pur sch^ls. And we need your help. Please don*t * t NRWA. We don't have anywhere else ib turnlJfccauso we are stateless and we must idjon you to protect us- The United Nations can defend us from injustice. Please make sure itected now and for our future. We ask this for all the children, not just for our group tfa is visiting today. bifc of Ibdaa, a youth cultural exchange center'jii Dheisheh, we have had the rtu "ttu to meet children from Iraq, Nicar^'ua^Kvfanda, the'JJnited States end many other F e know that they have big problems'also! just \{^ xis. Today we ore askhig you itect the human rights of all the children in the wort<j. And please do not forget about u« ,eh Refugee Camp. .,..,: 4 CfaU oflbdaa S>72-2-2776444 * Mobile 972-050-273742 P.02 212 935 7899 07/10 '99 THU 09:50 [TI/RX NO 8807] $002 07-OCT-1999 15:49 COM-GEN'S OFFICE UNRWP HQ 0097276777699 P.03/05 Letter of 27 September 1999 to the Secretary-General from the Ibdaa Cultural Center. Pheisfaefa Refugee Camp in the West Bank: background note Dheisheh schools The Dheisheh Boys School was constructed in the 1950's and 1960's. Despite limited funds being available for maintenance, the buildings in general remain structurally sound, although there is some cracking due to seasonal foundation movement. .&&.:> - : ';•::'.< " v It is the'Agency's intention to replace the school when funds become available; it is presently second priority on the West Bank school projects list. On 6 September 1999, the use of a heavy roller on road construction adjacent to the school resulted in further slight damage to one of the buildings and one large piece of masonry fell to the ground. This is the limit of the damage to the building, described as "collapsed" in the statement issued by "Children of Ibdaa". UNRWA acted immediately; the school was closed for three days until Agency engineers could establish the extent of the damage. UNRWA engineers and a structural consultant independently reported that the school buildings were structurally sound. The Director of UNRWA Operations in the West Bank and his Deputy, both construction professionals, visited the building and concluded that the buildings were safe for the children to return to school. However, as a sensible precaution, the three rooms affected by cracking were closed and cordoned off. The Director met with the camp representatives on 21 September and explained the technical reports, confirmed that the buildings were not dangerous and outlined UNRWA's plans to replace the school as soon as funds become available. However, in order to satisfy the camp community that all possible precautions had been taken, the Agency agreed as a temporary measure not to utilise certain classrooms until engineers from the Palestinian Economic Council for Development and Reconstruction (PECDAR) had visited the school and assessed its structural stability. Classes have resumed in the existing buildings in a temporily reduced number of classrooms. The visit of the PECDAR engineers is still awaited. The Ibdaa Director, Mr, Ziad Abbas, attended the meeting with UNRWA on 21 September 1999 as a representative of the camp committee. Since a solution has been agreed with the camp community, including Mr. Abbas, it is surprising that the issue was raised through a petition in New York, Other issues There are a number of inaccurate or misleading assertions in the petition, inter alia: * the alleged "collapse" of the school; full details of the incident are given above • the suggestion that UNRWA intends to reduce education and infrastructure funding. In fact, the education programme is UNRWA's single largest area of activity, accounting for over half of the Agency's budget and two thirds of its staff. Far from reducing the allocation during the forthcoming biennium, the 2000-2001 budget envisages an increase 07/10 '99 THU 09:50 [TX/RX NO 8807] @]0<i 07-OCT-1999 15:50 CDM-GEN'S OFFICE UNRUJfl HQ 0097276777699 P.04/05 of 10 per cent in the regular budget of the education programme, compared to the 1998-1999 budget allocation. Furthermore, upgrading and expanding primary education infrastructure is TJNRWA's top priority for project funding (see attached priority list which has been shared with donors). • the reference to alleged pressure from the Government of the United States to close UNRWA altogether. There is no basis for this assertion. The United States is the single largest contributor to UNRWA's regular programmes, ranking first among major donors since 1994, providing around 32 per cent (around $78 million) of the Agency's regular budget in the years 1997, 1998 and 1999. It is also a major contributor of project funding. Proposed follow-up In view of the serious nature of the allegations made in the Ibdaa letter, UNRWA will write to Ibdaa and to Dheisheh Camp representatives to clarify the situation. UNRWA HQ Gaza 7 October 1999 07/10 '99 THU 09:50 [TX/RX NO 8807] i]004 07-QCT-1999 15:50 CQM-GEN'S OFFICE UNRUfl HQ 0097276777699 P . 05/05 TABLE 21. PROJECT BUDGET BY PRIORITY ACTIVITY (In Thousands of United States Dollars) Total - MOO 2001 2000-2001 Priority 1: Upgrading and Expanding Primary Education Infrastructure 1A_ construction and Equipping of Additional Classrooms and School BuPdings 2,718 3,288 6,006 IB. Replacement and Maintenance of Dilapidated School Buildings 10,575 14,525 23,100 1C Replacement of Unsuitable Rented School Premises 4,142 2,596 6,738 sub-Total 17,435 20,409 37,844 Priority 2: Improving Environmental Health Conditions In Refugee camps 2A. Construction of Sewerage and Drainage Network; 3,535 8,298 11,833 2B. Rehabilitation of Water Networks 32 72 104 2C Mechanization of Refuse Collection and Disposal 2,869 95S 3,824 2D. Paving of Pathways and Drains on Self-Help Basis 375 375 750 Sub-Total 6,811 9,700 16,511 Priority 3; Increasing Hospltalization Assistance 4,550 4,550 9,100 Priority 4: Upgrading Primary Health Care Infrastructure 4A. Replacement and Maintenance of Dilapidated Health Centres 1,786 404 2,190 48. Upgrading of Medical Equipment at Health Centres 500 500 1,000 Sub-Total 2,286 904 3,190 Priority St Shelter Rehabilitation far Special Hardship Cases 8,297 8,665 16,962 Priority 6: Increasing Employment Opportunities for Refugees 6A, Upgrading and Expansion of Vocational Training Capacity 4,802 4,270 9,072 SB. Expansion of Income-Generation Activities In the West Bank and Gaza Strip 2,009 2,009 4,018 Sub-Total 6,81,1 6,279 13,090 Priority 7: Enhancing Integrated Educational Activities 7 A.
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