Egypt’s Foreign Minister Reaffirms Support for UNRWA’s Role in Palestinian Refugee Aid

Minister of Foreign Affairs during the meeting.

On Monday, Dr. Badr Abdel Aty, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, met with Christian Saunders, Acting Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The discussion focused on ways to support the agency and the humanitarian situation of Palestinian refugees, particularly in Gaza.

Ambassador Tamim Khalaf, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that Minister Abdel Aty began the meeting by congratulating Saunders on his new role. He reaffirmed Egypt’s full support for UNRWA and its international mandate, emphasizing the importance of maintaining UNRWA’s exclusive role as an indispensable entity in serving Palestinian refugees.

The minister reiterated Egypt’s steadfast position against the displacement of the Palestinian people or their uprooting from their land under any pretext. He expressed appreciation for UNRWA’s role in supporting Palestinian resilience and condemned Israeli practices targeting the agency that undermine its ability to fulfill its mission. This includes restrictions on humanitarian aid and essential supplies needed by the population.

The spokesperson noted that the meeting also involved an exchange of views regarding UNRWA’s future operations and the challenges it faces across its five areas of operation, especially in Gaza. The minister listened to Saunders’ perspective on efforts to develop and reform the agency, as well as his vision for enhancing its developmental role to improve living conditions for Palestinian refugees while continuing its essential humanitarian work.