The “New York Times” reported that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is at risk of losing about $65 million by the end of February due to funding cessation by some countries. According to internal documents the newspaper had access to, at least 18 countries and institutions, including major donors, have announced the suspension of their funding to the agency amid suspicions of connections between some of its employees and the Hamas movement.
Finland did not contribute its $5.4 million share in January, and Germany, Japan, and Sweden are expected not to provide a total of approximately $60 million in February. The suspension of funding is expected to have a long-term impact on the agency’s operations. While some countries, including the United States, made their contributions in January before the suspension was announced, they are expected to halt funding in the coming months.
UNRWA does not have the resources to cover these losses and by March, it will not be able to pay the salaries of its approximately 30,000 employees, 13,000 of whom work in the Gaza Strip.
The suspension of funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) by major donor countries was triggered by allegations that around 12 of its employees were suspected of involvement in the October 7 attacks in Israel by Hamas. These allegations have led to a significant funding shortfall for the agency, which plays a crucial role in providing assistance to Palestinian refugees. The UNRWA operates in regions including the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and in camps in neighboring Arab countries, serving the needs of 5.9 million Palestinian refugees. The agency’s operations are critical in Gaza, where it employs 13,000 people and provides essential services such as education, healthcare, and humanitarian aid.
Countries that have announced the suspension of funding include Australia, Austria, Canada, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, New Zealand, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These decisions come at a time when Gaza is facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis due to ongoing military actions. UNRWA has responded to the allegations by terminating the contracts of the employees involved and has emphasized its commitment to organizational neutrality and the rejection of violence. The agency has also expressed concerns that the suspension of funds, based on the actions of a few individuals, could jeopardize its mission and worsen the humanitarian emergency in Gaza.
UN human rights experts have expressed grave concern over the suspension of funding, emphasizing the existential threat it poses to over two million Palestinians in Gaza who rely on UNRWA’s services amidst catastrophic living conditions. They have called for the reinstatement and strengthening of support to UNRWA, highlighting the agency’s importance in providing life-saving services and support to millions of Palestinians across the region.