4 things to know about the UNRWA, the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees

What is the UNRWA?

Established by the UN General Assembly in December 1949 in the aftermath of the first Arab-Israeli conflict, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is a vital entity for millions of Palestinians.

Stemming from the “Nakba” in 1948, where over 700,000 Palestinians fled, UNRWA’s mandate is to provide humanitarian aid and protection until a just solution is reached.

Operating in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and the Palestinian territories, UNRWA serves as the primary international guarantor for the status of these refugees, boasting over 30,000 employees, mostly Palestinian refugees themselves.
With a registration of approximately 5.9 million Palestinians, UNRWA delivers essential services such as education, healthcare, social services, and emergency aid, even in times of armed conflict.

The agency manages over 700 schools with more than 540,000 enrolled children and oversees about 60 refugee camps, including 19 in the occupied West Bank, addressing the multifaceted needs of Palestinian refugees in the pursuit of stability and resolution.

What are the recent allegations against the UNRWA?

In a statement UNRWA Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, announced several UNRWA employees had been let go after their alleged involvement in the October 7 attacks. Lazzarini said, “To protect the Agency’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance, I have taken the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these staff members and launch an investigation in order to establish the truth without delay.” Any UNRWA employee involved in acts of terror would be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution, Lazzarini said.

And new allegations of complicity of UN Palestinian Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) employees in the Hamas-led massacre in Israel have surfaced. According to the “Wall Street Journal” quoting Israeli intelligence information approximately 10% of the 12,000 aid workers employed in the Gaza Strip have affiliations with Hamas or Islamic Jihad.

Lazzarini had condemned the attacks on Israel, saying, “UNRWA reiterates its condemnation in the strongest possible terms of the abhorrent attacks of 7 October and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all Israeli hostages and their safe return to their families.” He emphasized the gravity of the situation, highlighting that these actions not only go against the core principles of the United Nations but also betray the individuals served by UNRWA in Gaza and other regions.

Which countries have temporarily suspended funding to UNRWA?

More and more countries have temporarily suspended funding to UNRWA, threatening the ongoing humanitarian work across the region, particularly in Gaza, according to the UN secretary general.

Japan and Austria have announced the suspension of their payments, the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy have similarly halted their funding contributions.

“It is shocking to see a suspension of funds in reaction to allegations against a small group of staff, especially given the immediate action that UNRWA took”, UNRWA Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement published on Saturday 27th January.

He emphasized the critical role of UNRWA in Gaza, where over 2 million people depend on it for survival, facing hunger and a looming famine, highlighting the International Court of Justice’s recent order for Israel to enable urgent basic services and humanitarian assistance in Gaza.

Lazzarini urged reconsideration of funding suspensions, stating, “It would be immensely irresponsible to sanction an Agency and an entire community it serves because of allegations of criminal acts against some individuals, especially at a time of war, displacement, and political crises in the region.”

What future for the UNRWA?

On Saturday, Israel announced its intention to exclude UNRWA from any role in post-conflict Gaza, aiming to shut down all activities of the agency in the Palestinian territory, according to Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz.

He urged other UNRWA donors to follow suit, favoring agencies dedicated to peace and development. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid supported this move, suggesting the creation of an alternative to prevent the education of generations of Palestinians in hatred.

In response, Hamas called on international organizations to resist threats and blackmail, accusing Israel of cutting off funds and depriving Gazans of international aid. The development followed the UN’s highest court calling on Israel to prevent potential acts of “genocide” in Gaza.