The new head of the UN department supporting millions of Palestinian refugees says he plans to use the "overwhelming political support" around the world to save the cash-strapped agency.
In his first English language interview since taking office on April 1, UN Relief and Works Agency Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini told The National that he needed to rebuild trust with donors.
Mr Lazzarini said the agency needed to move past a damaging management crisis, meet the aspirations of Palestinians and help in the fight against coronavirus.
He inherits an agency under a dark cloud after the abrupt departure of his predecessor.
Mr Lazzarini's agency, maligned by the Israeli government as an unnecessary relic, also faces pressure from a White House that has axed hundreds of millions in funding.
The administration of US President Donald Trump has described the agency as "irredeemably flawed", but Mr Lazzarini said he remained optimistic of its future and that ceasing operations was "not an option".
Despite US lobbying, the UN member states overwhelmingly voted at the end of 2019 to extend the mandate of UNRWA for another three years. Only the US and Israel voted against it.
Mr Lazzarini said the support shown during the vote demonstrated that the international community regarded the UNRWA as crucial.
He said the question was whether this support and the renewed mandate matched the resources being made available after the US decision in August 2018 to cut nearly $300 million (Dh11.01 billion) in funding hit the already stretched budget.
"Unfortunately there are too many cash-strapped deadlines, and the next one is at the end of May because we have no visibility anymore beyond," Mr Lazzarini said.
He said these could have a "devastating impact on our activities" but he hoped to have outstanding pledges from donor countries in place before that.
The UNRWA was given a mandate in 1949 to assist Palestinian refugees until a political solution was found.
The agency operates in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, the occupied West Bank, occupied East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.
Even before the US froze funds for the UNRWA it was lurching between financial crises and reliant on regular large donations from states.
A crisis of management, reputation and relevance
But the agency has faced an "internal management crisis, reputational issues and the relevancy was also questioned".
Mr Lazzarini's predecessor, Pierre Krahenbuhl, stood down last November amid an investigation into misconduct.
Mr Krahenbuhl denied the claims, saying he and the agency were being politically targeted.
The new UNRWA head admitted the agency had faced a tough year but he said he was working to move past it.
Finding funds
Mr Lazzarini said his role would be to change the relationship between donors and the agency, particularly in Europe where some politicians have questioned its efficiency.
Germany, the EU, the UK and Sweden were the four top donors in 2019.
It's important that it's perceived as this agency focusing and delivering on the right of Palestinian refugees and its services
"We have to bring the necessary confidence back to solidify this partnership that we have," he said.
Mr Lazzarini said the UNRWA had to give donors confidence to continue championing the agency.
His and the agency's role, he said, would be to answer questions over how the money was being used and if it were being spent on tasks the UNRWA had been given.
This means agreeing on the importance of the delivery of core services to Palestinian refugees and on the work being done to achieve the broader 2030 agenda set by the UN.
"When we talk about sustainable goals or social and economic rights, leaving no one behind, we also mean Palestinian refugees are not left behind," Mr Lazzarini said.
"It's important that it's perceived as this agency focusing and delivering on the right of Palestinian refugees and its services.
"That's a starting point because if we agree that this is what is expected from UNRWA, this is what makes it easier to support it financially and politically."
White House peace plan
Asked about the White House peace plan announced last year, Mr Lazzarini said the position of the UN was to support dialogue anchored in relevant resolutions.
But he said that until there was a state for Palestinians, the role of the UNRWA would be to provide dignity and education, which would contribute to promoting peace and security in the region.
"By doing so, we will contribute to having a future generation ready and educated to take over or be part of a future country where they will be full citizens," Mr Lazzarini said.
He said that while talking to the international community and donors was key, so was having an honest and transparent relationship with Palestinian officials and the refugees the agency helps.
"I will be in listening mode at the beginning to make sure that the decisions which will be taken are in line with the aspirations," Mr Lazzarini said. "You need to have an honest dialogue."
He said that just as important will be the message to Palestinian refugees that they will not be left behind; that they will have access to universal care, an end to hunger and poverty, and that peace and justice will be achieved.
Two weeks into his new role, Mr Lazzarini has already spoken to officials of countries hosting Palestinian refugees.
Building long-term support
Initially after the US decision to freeze funding, other donors mobilised to help cover the $360m shortfall with multi-year pledges and contributions to the organisation to provide urgent money.
The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar each stepped in immediately with $50m for a total of $200m.
And in 2019, the UAE and Saudi Arabia were still among the top six donors.
But some of the donors who stepped in in 2018 were not so forthcoming last year, Mr Lazzarini said.
The peace process through the years
The agency will be looking to Gulf and Arab countries for financial and political support.
"I do believe the Gulf countries are important partners to UNRWA and it is important to develop a lasting, predictable partnership with the Gulf countries," Mr Lazzarini said.
He is eyeing longer-term mutual commitment between donors beyond just the Gulf countries, such as those from the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation, "European and traditional supporters like Japan, Canada and possibly South Korea stepping in here in the region".
He will also be in contact with European countries.
I do believe the Gulf countries are important partners to UNRWA
But Mr Lazzarini was quick to note that countries are not just regarded as financial supporters.
They have to be seen as genuinely associated and partners to the mandate of the UNRWA.
"That the organisation is working to address poverty among Palestinian refugees," he said. "In doing so, we are also contributing to the broader peace and stability in the region."
Mr Lazzarini said he planned to build trust in what the agency did to focus on securing the flow and predictability of donor contributions.
The fight against coronavirus
The head said he welcomed but had not been officially told about a US decision to direct $5m to the Palestinian Authority in response to an appeal to fight the coronavirus pandemic. There are 431 confirmed cases and two deaths.
Mr Lazzarini said the agency would begin its own Covid-19 emergency response appeal next week.
"Obviously, if this could trigger similar support it would be a welcome development," he said.
But so far, Mr Lazzarini said he had been very impressed with the work of the agency amid the pandemic.
He said all health centres remained open in the five areas of UNRWA's operations.
E-learning has continued and there is a strong push to increase the number of children who can access remote schooling.
Yet the coronavirus is a pandemic on top of a crisis for the agency. With 30,000 staff members working for more than 5 million refugees, the "chronic crisis" continues, he said.
But Mr Lazzarini said he would put all necessary energy and attention into ensuring services continue.
"It's clear today it's a struggle," he said.
"And unfortunately, the organisation has known far too much of this unsettling financial crisis, especially for a group of the population that is among the most vulnerable in the world, and definitely one of the most vulnerable in the Middle East."
Play-off fixtures
Two-legged ties to be played November 9-11 and November 12-14
- Northern Ireland v Switzerland
- Croatia v Greece
- Denmark v Ireland
- Sweden v Italy
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
The%20Emperor%20and%20the%20Elephant
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESam%20Ottewill-Soulsby%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPrinceton%20University%20Press%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E392%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJuly%2011%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES
September 30
South Africa v Australia
Argentina v New Zealand
October 7
South Africa v New Zealand
Argentina v Australia
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
The five pillars of Islam
Common OCD symptoms and how they manifest
Checking: the obsession or thoughts focus on some harm coming from things not being as they should, which usually centre around the theme of safety. For example, the obsession is “the building will burn down”, therefore the compulsion is checking that the oven is switched off.
Contamination: the obsession is focused on the presence of germs, dirt or harmful bacteria and how this will impact the person and/or their loved ones. For example, the obsession is “the floor is dirty; me and my family will get sick and die”, the compulsion is repetitive cleaning.
Orderliness: the obsession is a fear of sitting with uncomfortable feelings, or to prevent harm coming to oneself or others. Objectively there appears to be no logical link between the obsession and compulsion. For example,” I won’t feel right if the jars aren’t lined up” or “harm will come to my family if I don’t line up all the jars”, so the compulsion is therefore lining up the jars.
Intrusive thoughts: the intrusive thought is usually highly distressing and repetitive. Common examples may include thoughts of perpetrating violence towards others, harming others, or questions over one’s character or deeds, usually in conflict with the person’s true values. An example would be: “I think I might hurt my family”, which in turn leads to the compulsion of avoiding social gatherings.
Hoarding: the intrusive thought is the overvaluing of objects or possessions, while the compulsion is stashing or hoarding these items and refusing to let them go. For example, “this newspaper may come in useful one day”, therefore, the compulsion is hoarding newspapers instead of discarding them the next day.
Source: Dr Robert Chandler, clinical psychologist at Lighthouse Arabia
Results
5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,600m, Winner: Panadol, Mickael Barzalona (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)
6.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m, Winner: Mayehaab, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
6.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh85,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Monoski, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
7.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (T) 1,800m, Winner: Eastern World, Royston Ffrench, Charlie Appleby
7.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Madkal, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
8.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 1,200m, Winner: Taneen, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi
SPECS
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How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
F1 drivers' standings
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 281
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 222
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 177
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 138
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 93
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 86
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 56