During a virtual event broadcasted on social media on Tuesday, Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Shtayyeh and the UN Humanitarian Coordinator Lucia Elmi today launched the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) 2021, worth $417 million, to help 1.8 million Palestinians who are amongst the most vulnerable.

The Prime Minister stressed that "the situation in Palestine is exceptional due to the occupation and the measures it's undertaking. The pandemic, its consequences, and the political challenges have made it more difficult." He added: "The international aid for Palestine is essential on both development and relief levels. It reflects the international community's moral responsibility toward a nation that is suffering under occupation and has lost control over its capabilities and borders. We are working to link relief efforts with development."

The Prime Minister called upon the international community to work in two parallel paths: "The achievement of the national rights of the Palestinian people, and to enable them financially, economically, and morally to face the occupation, its measures, and everything that disrupts their life and development on various levels."

The Prime Minister expressed his sincere appreciation to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and the United Nations family for their continued efforts in helping the Palestinian people in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, and elsewhere.

For her part, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator Lucia Elmi said that “the impact of prolonged military rule, access restrictions, internal divisions, and insufficient respect for Palestinians’ rights as enshrined in international law, is now compounded by COVID-19.” She added: “While lasting solutions are being sought, we count on donors to help us be there for those who need us the most in order to live with dignity.”