He blamed this on Israel's clampdown on the West Bank and Gaza Strip and the numerous search and security roadblocks the Israeli army deploys in the occupied territory.
In addition, he said, precious funds have been diverted from purely humanitarian goals to the reconstruction of UNRWA buildings damaged during military operations.
"UNRWA has diverted from its humanitarian budget of $2.5 million to pay for storage charges because of the security regime imposed by the Israelis," he said.
Hansen also deplored the fact that UNRWA was only able to secure half of the total 117 million dollars in emergency funds it appealed for at the start of the year.
"So we run a real risk that we will have to cancel food distributions and stop emergency employment programs and other activities if we do not get more pledges and more money in emergency funds," he said.
Meanwhile the United States, the Netherlands and Switzerland announced new contributions to UNRWA of 9.25 million dollars, 2.5 million dollars and one million dollars respectively.
UNRWA has since 1950 provided health care, education and other relief services to the refugees, who live in camps scattered across the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
Convention on the Rights of the Child http://www.unicef.org/crc
Photo of better times courtesy of the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation: http://www.hcef.org
In addition, he said, precious funds have been diverted from purely humanitarian goals to the reconstruction of UNRWA buildings damaged during military operations.
"UNRWA has diverted from its humanitarian budget of $2.5 million to pay for storage charges because of the security regime imposed by the Israelis," he said.
Hansen also deplored the fact that UNRWA was only able to secure half of the total 117 million dollars in emergency funds it appealed for at the start of the year.
"So we run a real risk that we will have to cancel food distributions and stop emergency employment programs and other activities if we do not get more pledges and more money in emergency funds," he said.
Meanwhile the United States, the Netherlands and Switzerland announced new contributions to UNRWA of 9.25 million dollars, 2.5 million dollars and one million dollars respectively.
UNRWA has since 1950 provided health care, education and other relief services to the refugees, who live in camps scattered across the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
Convention on the Rights of the Child http://www.unicef.org/crc
Photo of better times courtesy of the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation: http://www.hcef.org