Philippe Lazzarini calls for “political support” from the UN General Assembly in a letter to enable the survival of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.
Published on February 22, 2024 11:54 p.m. Updated on February 22, 2024 11:55 p.m
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People on bicycles in front of the UNRWA headquarters in Gaza, destroyed by Israeli attacks, February 21, 2024. (DAWOUD ABO ALKAS / ANADOLU / AFP)
“It is with great regret that I must inform you today that the agency has reached a breaking point,” the head of UNRWA wrote in a letter to the President of the UN General Assembly. The published text addresses unprecedented humanitarian needs in Gaza.”
In just over four months #Gazathere were more #Childrenmore journalists, more medical staff and more @A More personnel have been killed during a conflict than anywhere else in the world.
It is with great regret that I now have to inform you of this @UNRWA has reached a breaking point… pic.twitter.com/JbQVk72avu
— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) February 22, 2024
Twelve members of the UN agency are accused by Israel of involvement in the Oct. 7 attack by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas that killed 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP count.
But even if “no evidence has been submitted to UNRWA by Israel so far,” 16 countries have suspended their funding totaling $450 million, Philippe Lazzarini explained, warning that the agency’s operations across the region “are coming to an end “ would be at serious risk from March. This comes while senior UN officials claim that UNRWA is the backbone of humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.
Regain donors’ trust
Philippe Lazzarini therefore calls for “political support” from the UN General Assembly to enable the survival of UNRWA, as well as a reform of its funding method, based mainly on voluntary contributions.
An internal investigation has been launched, while Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed an independent group chaired by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna to assess UNRWA and its “neutrality”. The aim of this “delicate” mission is to “regain the trust” of donors, explained Catherine Colonna at a press conference on Thursday.
“My aim is to present a rigorous report based on evidence that will help UNRWA fulfill its mandate,” she stressed, specifying that she plans to include in the final report, expected on April 20, “ to make recommendations.”