UNRWA, established in 1949, was already facing financial crisis after Trump announced a $300 million funding freeze in January. The agency, which helps more than five million registered Palestinian refugees, says it now faces major closures to its network of schools and health centres.
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Chris Gunness
Palestinian anger as US ends funding for UN agency
The move by President Donald Trump’s administration was described as ‘cruel and irresponsible’ by senior Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi.
Antonio Guterres
Gallery: New school year starts in occupied West Bank and Gaza City
Tens of thousands of Palestinian children returned to United Nations-run schools on Wednesday after the summer holidays, though major US cuts have thrown their funding into jeopardy beyond next month. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said all 711 schools it runs for 526,000 pupils in Gaza and the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria would reopen in the next few days despite the $300 million US funding cut.
Equestrian
In pictures: Palestinian female Equestrian rider training in Gaza city
Seventeen-year-old Heba Seifalden Shahein, who was born with Congenital Amputation in one leg, trains at a riding school in Gaza City.