2024-01-27 21:32:37
MADRID, 27 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The commissioner general of the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, warned this Saturday that the suspension of contributions to the organization threatens its humanitarian work.
“To date, nine countries have provisionally suspended funding to UNRWA. These decisions threaten our humanitarian work throughout the region, especially in the Gaza Strip,” Lazzarini warned in a statement.
The suspensions are in response to revelations about the alleged involvement of up to twelve UNRWA workers in the October 7 attacks on Israeli soil that left some 1,200 dead.
“It is shocking to see these funding suspensions in reaction to allegations against a small group of workers, particularly after immediate action was taken to suspend their contracts and a transparent and independent investigation was requested,” he added.
For all these reasons, it asks the countries that have announced the suspension of funding to “reconsider” their decision “before UNRWA is forced to suspend its humanitarian response.” “The lives of the people of Gaza depend on this support, as does regional stability,” he stressed.
Lazzarini explained that the investigation into these “serious” events is already in charge of the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services, “the highest investigative authority in the UN system.”
“UNRWA is the lead humanitarian agency in Gaza, with more than two million people depending on it for their survival. Many are hungry and the clock is ticking towards imminent famine. The Agency manages shelters for more than one million people and provides food and basic health care even at the peak of hostilities,” Lazzarini recalled.
The head of UNRWA also recalled that Friday’s ruling from the International Court of Justice orders Israel to “adopt immediate and effective measures to cover basic needs and the necessary humanitarian aid in the face of the adverse living conditions faced by the Palestinians.” in the Gaza Strip”. “These measures aim to avoid irreparable damage to the rights of Palestinians,” Lazzarini stressed.
“The only way to do this is through cooperation with international partners, in particular UNRWA, Gaza’s largest humanitarian actor. Some 3,000 key workers out of a total of 13,000 continue to go to work in Gaza, giving their communities a vital aid that can collapse at any moment due to lack of financing,” he highlighted.
Lazzarini has warned that “it would be immensely irresponsible to punish an Agency and an entire community for accusations against some individuals, particularly at a time of war, displaced people and political crisis.”
Furthermore, Lazzarini recalled that UNRWA delivers a list of its personnel to all countries, including Israel, every year. “The Agency has never received any complaints about specific workers,” she recalled.
Australia, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands and Finland have publicly announced the suspension of UNRWA funding. At the moment the other two countries mentioned by Lazzarini are not known. On the other hand, other countries such as Ireland have reaffirmed their commitment to funding UNRWA and have recalled the importance of its work.
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