Foreign Minister Retno: Difficult To Imagine The Current Humanitarian Situation In Palestine Without UNRWA

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi while attending a meeting on UNRWA. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said it was difficult to imagine the current humanitarian situation in Palestine, without the presence of the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA).

He conveyed this while attending a Ministerial Meeting to support UNRWA on the sidelines of the 79th UN General Assembly in New York, United States on Thursday.

The meeting this time highlighted the serious challenges facing UNRWA, as well as collective steps to strengthen support for the UN Agency, as well as support the rights of Palestinian refugees.

"It is difficult to imagine the current humanitarian situation (in Palestine), if there is no UNRWA in the field," said Foreign Minister Retno, in a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Friday, September 27.

Reaffirming Indonesia's full support for UNRWA, Foreign Minister Retno said there are two main things that need to be done to support the UN agency.

First, political support. Foreign Minister Retno stressed that there is no alternative other than UNRWA to help the humanitarian situation in Palestine, because it is important to protect UNRWA's mandate from political pressure and efforts to legitimize the UN Agency. "The threat to UNRWA is a threat to humanity," said Foreign Minister Retno.

Second, he continued, funding support. Foreign Minister Retno invited all countries to provide funding support to UNRWA. Stated by Foreign Minister Retno, Indonesia has provided concrete support by doubling its annual contribution to UNRWA in 2024, and has also contributed to supporting the UNRWA Flash Appeal.

Foreign Minister Retno emphasized that UNRWA's work was not a substitute for a fair solution to the Palestinian refugee problem. "This is a humanitarian response to the protracted political crisis," said Foreign Minister Retno.

UNRWA, continued Foreign Minister Retno, has become the main platform for humanitarian assistance to Palestine.

"Supporting UNRWA is not a charitable act, but a fundamental investment for humanity, stability and regional peace," said Foreign Minister Retno.

In that trip, Foreign Minister Retno also invited the international community to immediately recognize the Palestinian State and full membership at the United Nations.

"This is the only way to put political pressure on Israel, and the only way we can achieve a two-state solution," concluded Foreign Minister Retno.