The Secretary of State

Amman, Jordan

UNRWA Headquarters

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Good afternoon, everyone.  It’s both a pleasure and important to be here at UNRWA, which is doing extraordinary work every single day as a lifeline to Palestinians in Gaza and at great cost.  More than 70 members of UNRWA lost their lives; thousands are putting their lives on the line every single day to show up at work to help people.  I have extraordinary admiration for the courage that they’re showing, and we’re here to hear about the efforts, the ongoing efforts; to be able to talk to people in the field; and to express our own ongoing support for UNRWA’s work, including through the assistance that the United States has dedicated to UNRWA over the last three years.

So let me just say again our condolences to those who’ve lost their lives in trying to help others and our admiration for those who continue this vital work.  Thank you.