New green playground in an UNRWA school for girls inauguratad

Amman - Bernhard Kampmann, Ambassador of Germany to Jordan, and Tamara Alrifai, Director of External Relations and Communications of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), inaugurated a green play area at the Talbieh Girls’ School, in the presence of Mr. Olaf Becker, Acting Director of UNRWA Affairs in Jordan.

The transformation of the 150 m2 playground was funded by the Government of Germany, following a visit by the German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, to the Talbieh camp for Palestine refugees in February 2022, where she met students in the Talbieh Girls’ School, run by UNRWA. The students talked with her about their studies, their ambitions, and their wish for a greener camp, with playgrounds and recreational spaces in the otherwise densely built and populated camp.

In a letter read out by Ambassador Kampmann, the German Foreign Minister said: “I am glad that we were able to provide this support – I am convinced that every child deserves a good school, and also one with a beautiful schoolyard. With this project, we want to show that we see the people that UNRWA serves every day and the dedication of UNRWA staff: teachers, doctors, and the humanitarian personnel.”

Both UNRWA and Germany are invested in ensuring environmental sustainability, thus aligning over a shared vision for a green environment. With German support for Palestine refugees, UNRWA is contributing to the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda.

“We are thrilled to see a playground with trees and plants,” said Tamara Alrifai. “UNRWA is strongly advocating for greener camps and for recreational areas for camp residents, including children. Here, it is the children’s right to play and to safety that Germany is directly supporting. It would be fantastic if similar green spaces were replicated across all UNRWA camps in the region,” she continued.

In his speech, Ambassador Kampmann also thanked UNRWA for their immediate support to Palestine refugees affected by the earthquakes last week: “Our hearts and thoughts are with those affected by the disastrous earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. We are grateful for UNRWA’s assistance to Palestine refugees – especially in times of hardship, but also every day here in Jordan.”

Germany generously funds programmes and initiatives that protect the human rights of Palestine refugees across the region and contributed approximately 190 million euros to UNRWA operations in 2022.