The Australian Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, announced the resumption of her country’s funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) nearly two months after its suspension. During a press conference, Penny Wong stated that Australia had consulted with UNRWA and other donor countries and was satisfied with the additional safeguards put in place, mentioning that approximately 6 million Australian dollars (equivalent to 3.9 million US dollars) of funding would be provided immediately. Wong highlighted, “There are children and families starving, and we, along with the international community, have the capacity to help them. We recognize UNRWA’s central and fundamental role in providing that aid.”
It’s worth noting that Australia and more than 12 countries suspended their funding to the UN agency in January after Israel accused 12 of its employees of being associated with the Islamic Resistance Movement “Hamas.”
Sweden Resumes Its Aid to UNRWA
On March 9, Sweden announced it would resume its suspended payments to UNRWA with a grant of 200 million kronor (20 million dollars). The Swedish government resumed funding after UNRWA agreed to enhance internal controls and conduct additional checks on its staff among other measures. Stockholm stated in a statement, “400 million kronor has been allocated for UNRWA for the year 2024 (40 million dollars).”
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had appointed an independent group led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna to assess UNRWA and its “political neutrality.” The Swedish announcement followed the European Commission’s announcement earlier this month that it would disburse 50 million euros (about 54 million dollars) to support UNRWA before the possible release of an additional 32 million euros (35 million dollars). Like many other countries, Sweden suspended its aid to UNRWA after Israel accused 12 of the agency’s staff in late January of supporting the Palestinian Hamas movement.
The recent funding cuts to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) have sparked significant concern amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Several major donors, including the United States, Canada, and Germany, have suspended their contributions following allegations against a dozen UNRWA staff members. These allegations, presented by Israel, accused staff members of colluding with Hamas in the attacks on October 7 that resulted in significant casualties and hostages. This move has led to fears of an immediate humanitarian impact, with essential services and aid possibly coming to a halt within weeks.
UNRWA, established in 1949, plays a critical role in providing aid to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. The agency’s operations include primary and vocational education, healthcare, relief and social services, infrastructure and camp improvement, microfinance, and emergency response. Funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions, the agency’s largest donors in 2022 included the United States, Germany, the EU, and Sweden, representing a significant portion of its overall funding.
The controversy surrounding the funding cuts underscores the crucial nature of UNRWA’s work in Gaza, where over 26,000 people have died since the onset of Israel’s military offensive on October 7. Former UNRWA spokesperson Chris Gunness highlighted the critical timing of the funding suspension, which came just as the International Court of Justice characterized the situation in Gaza as a plausible case of genocide being perpetrated by Israel. Gunness called on Arab states, particularly those benefiting from oil revenues, to step up their support to address the funding shortfall.
UNRWA’s importance cannot be overstated, as it serves as the largest humanitarian actor in Gaza. The agency’s operations are pivotal for the survival of over 2 million people who rely on it for basic needs, including food, healthcare, and shelter. The funding cuts, therefore, not only jeopardize UNRWA’s ability to provide these essential services but also pose a direct threat to the lives of Gaza’s residents, many of whom are already suffering from the dire humanitarian consequences of the conflict.
