In a critical statement issued on Tuesday, directors of the United Nations Joint Committee warned that decisions by certain member states to suspend funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) could have “disastrous” consequences for the population of Gaza.
The committee urgently called on countries that have halted their support to reconsider their decisions, emphasizing that “no other entity but UNRWA has the capacity to deliver aid to 2.2 million people in Gaza.”
This plea comes in the wake of allegations by Israel accusing some UNRWA staff of involvement in the attacks launched by Hamas and other Palestinian factions on Israeli towns and settlements surrounding the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023.
The committee highlighted the risky nature of suspending UNRWA funding, cautioning that such actions could lead to the collapse of the humanitarian support system in Gaza.
Despite the grave nature of the allegations against some UNRWA employees, the committee stressed the importance of not preventing an entire organization from fulfilling its mission to serve those in dire need.
Earlier on Tuesday, the United Nations Coordinator for Humanitarian Aid in Gaza stated that no organization could “replace” the crucial role played by UNRWA, which Israel has accused of complicity in the Hamas attack in Israel.
Several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan, have suspended their funding to the agency. This development coincides with preparations for a meeting between the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and donor countries.
Sigrid Kaag, the newly appointed UN coordinator, emphasized that “no organization can ever replace the vast capabilities, the fabric, and the knowledge of UNRWA about the people of Gaza.”
UNRWA has long been under scrutiny by Israel, which accuses the agency of systematically acting against the country’s interests. Following the recent conflict, Israel has vowed to halt UNRWA’s operations in Gaza.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, stated on Tuesday that Washington needs to see “substantial changes” before it can resume funding UNRWA, following Israeli allegations of staff involvement in the Hamas attack on October 7.
Thomas-Greenfield welcomed the organization’s decision to conduct a comprehensive and independent investigation into the activities of UNRWA.
“We need to look into the organization’s activities, how it operates in Gaza, how it manages its staff, and ensure accountability for individuals committing criminal acts, like these twelve individuals, so UNRWA can continue its important work,” she said.
The United Nations Security Council also expressed concern on Tuesday about the “grave and rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation” in Gaza and urged all parties to cooperate with the UN Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs and Reconstruction in Gaza, Sigrid Kaag.
This statement from the 15-member council followed Kaag’s first closed-door report to the council since her appointment about a month ago, highlighting the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region.
