The United Nations announced yesterday, Friday, the accession of 118 countries to the joint commitments initiative launched by Kuwait, Jordan, and Slovenia about two months ago to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

Jordan's permanent representative to the United Nations, Mahmoud Hamoud, stated during a press conference at the international organization’s headquarters in New York: "We are here to officially announce the short-term commitments initiative for UNRWA, which was started by Slovenia, Jordan, and Kuwait and initially launched by a group consisting of 16 countries to support the agency."

Hamoud confirmed that 118 countries have joined the initiative as of this morning, noting that he has received calls from representatives of other countries expressing a desire to join the initiative, stressing the critical importance of supporting UNRWA "during this difficult time."

He explained that UNRWA: "is a lifeline for Palestinian refugees in all areas of the agency's work, and there is no other agency or body affiliated with the United Nations or humanitarian agencies capable of performing the tasks that UNRWA carries out, especially concerning education, health, and providing livelihood in the areas of operations, including the occupied Palestinian territories."

The United Nations stated on May 22 that the ambassadors of Jordan, Kuwait, and Slovenia to the international organization launched a joint commitments initiative towards UNRWA, which will address several issues including the agency's role in Gaza, regional stability, its financial situation, issues related to the principles of neutrality, recognition of the efforts of the agency's staff, and the importance of cooperation with it.