His Majesty King Abdullah II on Tuesday granted the Order of Al Istiqlal of the First Degree to UNRWA, in appreciation of its efforts to provide humanitarian assistance and basic services for refugees.

UNRWA Chief Commissioner Philippe Lazzarini received the medal, during a meeting on the sidelines of the “Call for Action: Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza” conference, attended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II.

His Majesty called for maintaining support for UNRWA to enable it to undertake its humanitarian duties, in accordance with its UN mandate, warning of the negative consequences of impeding the agency’s work in Gaza on nearly 2 million Palestinian refugees.

The King noted the importance of enhancing international coordination to ensure the sustained and maximum flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan attended the meeting.