By Blessing Chinagorom
It has been revealed that nine countries as at Sunday, have temporarily suspended funding to United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) over the alleged involvement in the October 7 attack that killed scores of Israelis.
The UNRWA Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini who made this revelation in a statement released on Sunday, stated that these decisions threaten the ongoing humanitarian work across the region including and especially in the Gaza Strip.
According to him, “It is shocking to see a suspension of funds to the Agency in reaction to allegations against a small group of staff, especially given immediate action that UNRWA took by terminating their contracts and asking for a transparent independent investigation.
He added with optimus concern that the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), the highest investigative authority in the UN system, has already been seized of this very serious matter.
Lazzarini noted that UNRWA is the primary humanitarian agency in Gaza, with over 2 million people depending on it for their sheer survival, adding that many are hungry as the clock is ticking towards a looming famine.
He said, “The Agency runs shelters for over 1 million people and provides food and primary healthcare even at the height of hostilities, while mentioned the ruling of International Court of Justice ordered that Israel must take immediate and effective measures.
“To enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in Gaza Strip”, added that these measures are aimed at preventing irreparable damage to the rights of Palestinians.
He said the only way that this can be done is through cooperation with international partners, especially UNRWA as the largest humanitarian actor in Gaza. “Some 3,000 core staff out of 13,000 in Gaza continue to report to work, giving their communities a lifeline which can collapse anytime now due to lack of funding.
“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.
“UNRWA shares the list of all its staff with host countries every year, including Israel. The Agency never received any concerns on specific staff members”, he disclosed.
UNRWA Boss made it clear that the investigation by OIOS into the heinous allegations will establish the facts, he said he has announced on 17 January, independent review by external experts will help the agency strengthen its framework for the strict adherence of all staff to the humanitarian principles.
Lazzaranni urged countries who have suspended their funding to re-consider their decisions before UNRWA is forced to suspend its humanitarian response, adding that lives of people in Gaza depend on this support and so does regional stability.
Report has it that Israel has previously accused UNRWA for acting as an effective shadow government in Gaza Strip, operating a wide array of social programs, of fueling anti-Israeli sentiment. The accusation and the U.N.’s swift reaction, however, contrast with previous U.N. denials of Israeli allegations.
Among the countries that stopped funding to the UN agency is the United States who on Friday said in a statement through the State Department that it troubled by this allegation, saying there will be a review while watching the steps the United Nations is taking to address them.
Also, the United Kingdom in a statement appalled by this allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK Government has repeatedly condemned.
While stated that the UK is temporarily pausing any future funding of UNRWA whilst we review these concerning allegations. “We remain committed to getting humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza who desperately need it”, the statement added.