Joint Session to Address UNRWA Funding Crisis

The Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee, chaired by Asal Al-Hassan, held a joint meeting at the Grand Serail with Palestinian factions and UNRWA. The attendees issued a joint statement in which they agreed on "the implications of the decision to suspend UNRWA funding on the living conditions of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon," urging donor countries "to reverse the funding suspension decision as soon as possible due to the serious consequences resulting from this decision." The participants also addressed the issue of the agency’s neutrality and expressed their "understanding of the importance of UNRWA's commitment to neutrality principles," agreeing to "support the agency's efforts while also acknowledging that Palestinian refugees have the right to express themselves as a Palestinian people with national aspirations." They confirmed "the continuation of joint cooperation between the Dialogue Committee, Palestinian factions, and UNRWA in the upcoming period within specific mechanisms to follow up on the proceedings." Regarding the collection of electricity bills in the camps, it was agreed to form a committee to follow up on what had previously been agreed upon and to develop the proposals presented in the meeting.