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21:04 GMT
NEW YORK, Dec 13 (KUNA) -- The United Nations General Assembly has renewed the mandate of the UN Palestinian refugees agency (UNRWA) for three years.
In a press statement, the UNGA announced that the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) was extended on Friday until June 30, 2023, with 169 votes in favour and nine abstentions.
The United States and Israel voted against.
UNRWA was established 70 years ago and provides essential services to Palestine refugees based on a mandate given to it by the General Assembly which is renewed every three years.
The agency is largely dependent on voluntary contributions from states and is experiencing its worst financial deficit after the US, its largest funder, withdrew its significant annual fund of up to USD 360 million. It is now seeking to overcome a financial gap of nearly USD 89 million before the end of the year.
This has jeopardized its services, including the organization of education initiatives. (end)
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