UN chief expresses concern over funding shortage affecting Palestinian refugees

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on countries to provide $100m in funding for the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA. The shortfall in funding poses a significant risk to millions of people who rely on the agency’s services. Guterres stated that UNRWA is facing “sweeping restrictions” and a large cash deficit due to its work in the occupied Palestinian territory.

The agency was created by the UN General Assembly in 1949 to assist Palestinians forced from their homes at the founding of Israel. Due to insufficient funding, UNRWA has been forced to scale back its operations. Guterres warned that further funding cuts could “push conditions beyond breaking point.”

UNRWA provides aid, schooling, healthcare, social services, and shelter to 2.6 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. The United States was previously UNRWA’s largest donor but cut funding in January 2024 following allegations of staff involvement in a Hamas attack on southern Israel.

An investigation by the UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services found that nine UNRWA employees “may have been involved” in the attack, while no evidence or insufficient evidence was found against the remaining 10. Guterres emphasized the need for urgent financial support from member states to ensure the agency can meet its mandate.

Guterres also condemned what he called “disinformation, smear campaigns” and other efforts to undermine UNRWA. He noted that such actions threaten the wellbeing of millions of Palestinians as well as the agency’s staff, who have faced violence and attacks by Israel in Gaza and across the occupied territory.

Source: Al Jazeera