Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares informed legislators on Monday that Spain will contribute an additional €3.5 million ($3.8 million) to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
Madrid has directly contributed €18.5 million to UNRWA in 2023, including €10 million approved in December after the decision to triple development and humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territories.
This decision comes after key donors suspended funding following allegations that around 12 of the tens of thousands of its Palestinian staff were suspected of involvement in the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel.
The suspension of funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) by several countries has raised concerns about the agency’s ability to continue its vital humanitarian operations. In response to these allegations, UNRWA has taken immediate action by dismissing some employees and initiating an investigation.
Countries including the United States, Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, Finland, Estonia, Japan, Austria, and Romania have paused their funding to UNRWA. The European Union has also stated that it would review its funding to UNRWA in light of the allegations.
Despite these suspensions, Norway has voiced a different stance by urging donor countries to consider the broader implications of cutting funding to UNRWA. Norway has emphasized its continued support for UNRWA and the Palestinian people, highlighting the agency’s critical role in providing essential services to millions of Palestinian refugees.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on countries that have suspended their funding to reconsider their decisions to ensure the continuation of UNRWA’s humanitarian efforts. He emphasized that any UN employee involved in acts of terror would be held accountable, but also stressed the importance of not penalizing the entire agency and the populations it serves because of the alleged actions of a few individuals.
The current situation underscores the vital role UNRWA plays in supporting Palestinian refugees and the significant impact funding suspensions could have on its operations. The international community’s response to these developments will be crucial in determining the future of UNRWA’s humanitarian work.
