The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is marked every year on November 29. The date was chosen because it commemorates the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 181, which proposed in 1947 the partition of Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states. It has been observed since 1978 and serves to highlight the ongoing struggles of the Palestinian people for self-determination and their rights under international law.
Significance of International Day of Solidarity:
This year's commemoration, to be held on November 29, 2024, is at a very poignant time because of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza that has been worsened by recent conflicts. UN Secretary-General Deputy Amina Mohammed stated that the very core objectives of dignity, rights, justice, and self-determination for Palestinians appear more elusive than ever. She condemned both the recent attacks by Hamas and the collective punishment meted out to Palestinians, demanding immediate humanitarian relief.
Some key messages from UN officials were heard regarding the need for complete humanitarian support, especially from the UNRWA- UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees that deliver basic services to millions of Palestinians.
- Chairman Cheikh Niang, the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, remarked that more than 44,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza over the last 400 days and more than half are women and children. It was a humanitarian catastrophe unparalleled since World War II.
- Philemon Yang, UN General Assembly President called for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with mutual recognition of sovereign states.
Activities
There will be several activities organized at UN headquarters in New York and other offices throughout the world on International Day. This will involve special meetings where global leaders and representatives from several countries will voice their solidarity for Palestinians and urge them to be recognized for their rights.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, or UNRWA, was established in 1949. Today, it offers critical services to nearly 5.9 million registered Palestinian refugees residing in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank. UNRWA provides education through over 663 schools, comprehensive health care through 125 primary health facilities, and relief assistance such as food aid and cash support for vulnerable populations. The agency also responds to emergencies in conflicts by giving shelter and necessities. It continues to improve its infrastructure at the 58 recognized refugee camps that it operates.
Funded mainly through voluntary contributions from donor countries and organizations, UNRWA suffers from the problem of erratic funding, which affects the delivery of its services. With some 30,000 staff of whom are Palestinian refugees themselves plays a vital role in addressing both short-term humanitarian needs and long-term development goals, such as providing millions of Palestinians with education, health care, and other essential services despite the ongoing conflicts and hardships.
The day reminds people of the unfulfilled status of Palestine and puts upon the international community the onus of supporting Palestinian aspirations for statehood and justice.
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