China supports UNRWA with insulin syringes for improved diabetes care

RAMALLAH,

The first batch of insulin syringes procured with the generous contribution from the Government of China has arrived in UNRWA warehouses in the occupied West Bank. The batch is ready for distribution to Palestine Refugee patients with diabetes who rely daily on insulin treatment.

The China International Development Cooperation Agency signed the agreement with UNRWA in October 2024, providing US$ 2.3 million worth of insulin syringes to diabetic Palestine Refugees in the Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, are responsible for 70-80 per cent of deaths among Palestine Refugees in UNRWA's five fields of operation. This vital support from the Government of China will contribute to ensuring a regular and uninterrupted supply of insulin syringes to Palestine Refugees in need of insulin therapy, significantly improving their health conditions, and preventing severe health complications associated with lack of access.

UNRWA Director of Health Dr Akihiro Seita, said, "The generous support from China will enable UNRWA to effectively respond to the significant health burden posed by diabetes and other non-communicable diseases. By addressing the critical need for insulin syringes, this grant will improve the overall health and well-being of diabetic patients in need of insulin, improve their access to essential treatments, and alleviate the burden of diabetes for 43,268 Palestine Refugees identified across UNRWA's fields of operation."

Highlighting China's continued support to the Agency, Ambassador Zeng Jixin, Head of the Office of the People's Republic of China to the State of Palestine, said, "^th anniversary since the launch of China's Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund (GDSSCF), as China's concrete contribution towards the realisation of the UN 2030 Development Agenda."

He continued, "The provision of insulin syringes for Palestine Refugees with diabetes is yet another highlight of the robust collaboration between UNRWA and the Government of China and demonstrates China's resolute commitment towards supporting Palestine Refugees and the irreplaceable work of UNRWA. We wish every success for the project implementation and that the health conditions of the Palestine Refugees with diabetes will be substantially improved. "

The People's Republic of China has been a long-standing supporter of UNRWA and Palestine Refugees. Since October 2023, China has provided financial contributions totaling US$ 5.5 million in support of the Agency's core operations in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, the Gaza Strip, and the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

The insulin syringe project is funded through the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund under China's Global Development Initiative, which places development back at the centre of the global agenda. Through this initiative, UNRWA can provide Palestine Refugees living with diabetes with the care they urgently need.

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UNRWAis the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The United Nations General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949 with a mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestine refugees in the Agency's area of operations pending a just and lasting solution to their plight.

UNRWA operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, The Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

Tens of thousands of Palestine refugees who lost their homes and livelihoods due to the 1948 conflict continue to be displaced and in need of support, nearly 75 years on.

UNRWA helps Palestine Refugees achieve their full potential in human development through quality services it provides in education, health care, relief and social services, protection, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.

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