UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on nations to swiftly address a funding gap of $100 million facing the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). He expressed concern that millions of Palestinian refugees are at risk due to this deficit, which has worsened the already precarious living conditions in the region.

During a donor conference, Guterres highlighted the alarming situation faced by Palestinian refugees, where their safety and welfare are now in jeopardy. He pointed out the severe restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities on UNRWA’s operations throughout the occupied Palestinian territory, which have compounded the agency’s difficulties.

The Secretary-General stated, “As we meet here today, the safety and welfare of millions of Palestine refugees hangs in the balance.” He reiterated the need for collective action from member states to ensure that UNRWA can continue its essential services in these challenging times.

Living Conditions Under Threat

Guterres specifically referenced the dire situation in Gaza, where living conditions are described as “utterly appalling.” He also mentioned the increasing violence from Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, as well as military actions targeting Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. The cumulative impact of these factors is severely hindering UNRWA’s ability to provide necessary aid, education, and health services to the population.

UNRWA, established in 1949 by the UN General Assembly to support Palestinians displaced during the creation of Israel, currently serves approximately 2.6 million refugees. However, the agency is compelled to curtail its operations due to financial limitations, which have escalated following the withdrawal of substantial funding from the United States. The U.S. had previously been the largest donor to UNRWA but cut its contributions in January 2024 after unfounded allegations emerged claiming involvement of some UNRWA staff in a recent attack by Hamas.

In light of this funding reduction, Guterres warned that any additional cuts could exacerbate an already critical situation, leading to potentially unmanageable circumstances for the agency and the communities it serves.

Calls for Reforms and Continued Support

Guterres emphasised the importance of continued and strengthened support from member states, stating that UNRWA has initiated significant reforms and updated its policies in response to previous criticisms from Israel. The agency is dedicated to fulfilling its mandate, which was reaffirmed six months ago by the UN General Assembly with widespread approval.

The Secretary-General rejected ongoing campaigns aimed at undermining UNRWA’s work, denouncing disinformation and attempts to create operational hurdles. He noted that such actions not only threaten the wellbeing of Palestinians but also jeopardise the safety of UNRWA personnel, with a concerning number of staff casualties reported since October 2023.

At the donor conference, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric announced that outcomes regarding voluntary contributions to UNRWA would be disclosed shortly. The urgency for action remains high, as failure to address the funding gap could further destabilise the already fragile conditions facing Palestinian refugees across the region.

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