269 UNRWA workers killed since Gaza war began UNRWA chief: agency shutdown would have ‘catastrophic consequences’ Peace and Security
The head of the UN Refugee Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), speaking at a Security Council meeting on Friday, welcomed the agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages. “I join the Secretary-General’s call on all parties to ensure full implementation of the agreements reached,” Philippe Lazzarini said, adding that the ceasefire was “only a starting point.”
Later, speaking at a press briefing in New York, the head of UNRWA called for rapid, unimpeded and uninterrupted humanitarian access to the Strip.
“We stand ready to support the reconstruction of Gaza by resuming school education and providing primary health care,” Lazzarini said.
UNRWA at risk of liquidation
Recalling that in less than two weeks the Israeli Knesset law on the cessation of UNRWA activities in the occupied Palestinian territory will come into force, Lazzarini stressed that the implementation of this decision would have “catastrophic consequences.”
“The Israeli government claims that UNRWA’s functions can be transferred to other structures,” he said. “In fact, the agency’s mandate and its ability to provide a wide range of services to the entire population of Gaza are unique. In particular, UNRWA’s capacity in the areas of education and primary health care far exceeds that of any other organization.”
According to Lazzarini, UNRWA structures are “tightly woven into the social fabric of Gaza” and the agency’s dismantling would accelerate the breakdown of public order in the Strip.
Disinformation Campaign
Speaking about a “fierce global disinformation campaign” against UNRWA, the agency’s chief said “intense diplomatic lobbying” by the Israeli government had targeted parliaments and governments of leading donor countries.
“Billboards and advertisements accusing UNRWA of terrorism have recently appeared in several cities, including New York,” he said. “The campaign was paid for by the Israeli Foreign Ministry. This kind of propaganda puts our staff in danger in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, where 269 of our colleagues have already been killed.”
According to Lazzarini, this year the Israeli Foreign Ministry received an additional $150 million to continue the propaganda campaign – an amount equivalent to a sixth of UNRWA’s annual budget.
UNRWA’s Financial Problems
“It is imperative that the campaign to disband UNRWA is not supported by the agency’s worsening financial situation,” Lazzarini stressed. – At present, such a danger exists: some key donors have decided to stop or reduce voluntary contributions to the UNRWA budget.”
In this regard, the head of the agency called for an urgent increase in financial support for UNRWA, the earliest possible allocation of already promised funds, and a review of decisions to suspend funding by donors.