Guyana gives to Palestine refugees

Guyana’s government says it will donate $150,000 to a United Nations agency dealing with Palestinian refugees as it expressed the hope that the current military conflict in the Middle East will soon end.

The money will be channeled through the UN’s Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) mainly for displaced people and others classified as refugees. UNRWA is the primary humanitarian agency in Gaza, with over two million people depending on it for their daily survival,” the foreign ministry said as it announced the donation recently.

The announcement came just days after Guyana took up a seat on the world body’s all-powerful Security Council as an elected member. The term will run until 2026, making it the third time that the Caribbean Community headquarter nation will sit on that body with previous stints in 1975-76 and 1982-83.

“Guyana’s contribution to UNRWA aligns with our appeals for a more robust international response to the ongoing situation in the Gaza Strip and the protection of civilians impacted by the ongoing conflict. To this end, as an elected member of the United Nations Security Council, Guyana supports a ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian aid into Gaza,” the ministry said, noting that” Guyana looks forward to a new day for Palestinians and Israelis beyond the constant shadows of war. Guyana is prepared to work as a member of the UN Security Council and with the entire UN membership to accelerate the vision of two independent states living side by side in peace and security, and of peaceful Middle East.”

Meanwhile, government says it is pleased with the recent ruling of the World Court regarding the accusations of genocide and war crimes brought by South Africa against Israel in the current conflict with the Palestinians.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett said the country is anxious for the conflict to end. “We believe that we should not wait another day for that. “Following developments in the war and listening to the briefings by UN agencies one may be moved to wonder whether a bounty exists on the head of every Palestinian child, man or woman. They face the dire prospect of death from starvation or disease. “Can the Council keep silent in these circumstances? Of course not. The international community, and this Council in particular, must spare no effort to end this cycle of bloodshed,” she said, noting that Algeria has drafted a resolution calling also for an end to the conflict. Guyana’s tenure on the Council will be rooted in a firm commitment to multilateralism and guided by the priorities of climate change, food insecurity and conflict, peacebuilding and conflict prevention, women, peace and security, protection of children in armed conflict; and youth, peace and security,” the ambassador stated