Concerns mount as major donors pause funding for Gaza aid agency
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is in intense need of aid assistance as more countries continue to suspend funding to the largest UN agency operating in Gaza.
The suspension came after the Israeli government alleged that some UN staff took part in the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
Japan and Austria announced that they were suspending cash support for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.
The US, UK, Germany, and Italy are also among those who have halted funding to the agency.
Japan’s foreign ministry declared late on Sunday that it was “extremely concerned about the alleged involvement of UNRWA staff members in the terror attack on Israel,” in addition to announcing its decision to freeze financing.
It added that it had been “strongly urging” UNRWA to investigate the allegations “in a prompt and complete manner.”
While reacting to the growing list of countries joining the suspension of funding to the UNRWA, the agency told the BBC that it is “extremely desperate” in need of assistance and that “the humanitarian needs in Gaza are growing by the hour.”
The agency has fired a number of its employees following accusations that they were complicit in the October 7th Hamas gunmen’s incursion into Israel, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,300 people, mostly civilians, the holding of approximately 250 others, and their return to Gaza as hostages.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres earlier said he is “horrified” by the accusations but has urged donor countries to “guarantee the continuity of UNRWA’s operations.”
In a statement on Sunday, he said: “Of the 12 people implicated, nine were immediately identified and terminated by the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini; one is confirmed dead and the identity of the two others is being clarified.”
However, he contended that Gaza shouldn’t be punished while adding that the organization wouldn’t be able to provide for all the demands of the two million civilians who rely on it for vital relief in February due to the existing finances.
More than 26,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched fearless military bombardment in response to the October 7 Hamas attacks, the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry says.
More than 1.7 million people have fled their homes, with many of them seeking refuge at UNRWA facilities.
