AMMAN, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Jordan's Lower House on Sunday called for increased support for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to help the agency provide services for Palestinian refugees.
At a meeting between members of the Lower House and representatives of the UN agency, the lawmakers stressed the key role the UN agency plays in the region, voicing appreciation for all its efforts.
Concerning the U.S. decision last year to cut its aid to the UN agency, the Jordanian lawmakers said the agency succeeded with the help of many countries in overcoming the financial shortages.
They also stressed the key role played by Jordan in mobilizing support for the agency that serves around 5 million Palestinian refugees.
The lawmakers said supporting the UN agency was a necessity so it can continue to provide the most needed humanitarian services for the refugees.
Meanwhile, the UNRWA's representatives voiced concern about the financial shortage for 2019, adding that work was underway to address challenges the agency is facing.
Last month, the UNRWA appealed for 1.2 billion U.S. dollars to fund its core services and life-saving humanitarian aid for 5.4 million Palestine refugees across the Middle East in 2019.
The agency's appeal comes in the wake of a remarkable global mobilization to overcome an unprecedented financial shortfall following the decision by its largest donor, the United States, to cut 300 million dollars of its contribution last year.
