Martin Griffiths, the UN Deputy Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, has called for an end to attempts to expel the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from the Gaza Strip. He emphasized that humanitarian assistance in Gaza relies heavily on UNRWA, suggesting that efforts to distribute aid without the agency are doomed to failure.
Griffiths highlighted UNRWA’s unique capacity for access, expertise, and community trust as essential for successful humanitarian operations in Gaza. This stance was shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, underscoring the critical role UNRWA plays in the region.
Recent discussions and events have underscored the critical role of UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees) in Gaza amidst escalating humanitarian concerns. Natalie Boucly, the Deputy Commissioner-General of UNRWA, highlighted the dire situation in Gaza, describing the population as “literally besieged” with increasing sanitation issues and disease risks due to the conflict. UNRWA’s efforts continue to be pivotal, with around 3,000 employees tirelessly working to provide essential services including healthcare through six operational health centers and mobile teams delivering thousands of medical consultations daily .
The UN has emphasized that the humanitarian response in Gaza is “completely dependent” on UNRWA, reflecting on the broader diplomatic efforts needed to address the crisis and the importance of continuing support for UNRWA’s work amidst challenges . However, there have been concerted efforts by Israel to push UNRWA out of Gaza post-war, amid allegations against some staff members and broader critiques of the agency. Despite these challenges, international support remains crucial for UNRWA to continue its operations and aid delivery in the region.
Human Rights Watch warned that UNRWA’s potential collapse would be catastrophic for Gaza, detailing the significant human and infrastructure tolls in the region. Amid allegations against some UNRWA staff, a comprehensive review of the agency has been initiated to ensure its commitment to neutrality and respond to serious breach allegations. Despite these challenges, there is a call for continued and renewed financial support for UNRWA, recognizing its indispensable role in aiding millions of Palestinian refugees for over 75 years.
