The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has pointed out the work of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees UNWRA is one of the greatest factors providing hope and stability across a troubled region.
Guterres who made this known is his remarks at the UNRWA Pledging Conference 2024 in United States said that without the necessary support and financing to UNRWA, Palestine Refugees will lose a critical lifeline and the last ray of hope for a better future.
According to him, “Nothing justifies the horrific attacks by Hamas on October 7th. And nothing justifies collective punishment of the Palestinian people. Yet Palestinians – including, of course, Palestine Refugees – are enduring the deadliest period since the agency’s creation.
“As we are all painfully aware, the horror has not spared UNRWA colleagues. 195 UNRWA staff members have been killed, the highest staff death toll in UN history. Many of them were killed together with their families and loved ones. UNRWA is also being targeted in other ways.
“Staff have been the subject of increasingly violent protests and virulent misinformation and disinformation campaigns. Some have been detained by Israeli security forces, and subsequently reported mistreatment and even torture.
“In the occupied West Bank, the presence and movements of UNRWA personnel have been severely restricted by Israeli authorities. Yet, despite these and other obstacles, in impossible conditions, and in midst of their own grief, the women and men of UNRWA have bravely continued their work in whatever way they can.
“They are the backbone of humanitarian operations in Gaza. Can you imagine what it must be like to be in this situation? Can you imagine how our colleagues wake up day after day in a living nightmare and still deliver for Palestinians in desperate need?
“While UNRWA also strives to deliver in an increasingly challenging situation in the occupied West Bank, including Jerusalem, and Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria championing human development and human rights”, the UN Chief stated.
Guterres said Palestinians in Gaza are not just witnessing a gap but death, destruction and a total breakdown in law and order. “Just when we thought it couldn’t get any worse in Gaza somehow, appallingly, civilians being pushed into ever deeper circles of hell.
“Recent days have brought yet more evacuation orders by Israeli authorities, yet more civilian suffering, yet more bloodshed. Palestinians in Gaza keep being forced to move like human pinballs across landscape of destruction and death.
“The extreme level of fighting and devastation is incomprehensible and inexcusable and the level of chaos is affecting every Palestinian in Gaza and all those desperately trying to get aid to them.
UN Boss appealed to protect UNRWA, protect UNRWA staff, and protect UNRWA’s mandate including through funding while made it clear that there is no alternative to UNRWA.
He said the UN is working on all fronts to implement the recommendations of the Catherine Colonna Report, by strengthening UNRWA’s work and risk management mechanisms, saying now is also the time to work on all fronts to support UNRWA’s critical mission.
“And now is the time to bring an end to this terrible war, starting with an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and an immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
“Ultimately, only a political solution can bring an end to this conflict – one that realizes a vision of two States – Israel and Palestine – living side by side in peace and security, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.
Guterres urged members to act and act now, he said, “Act to instill hope in a place where it is in short supply. Act to uphold the mandate of this General Assembly to sustain UNRWA. Act in solidarity with Palestine Refugees and all the Palestinian people”.
The United Kingdom Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador, Barbara Woodward paid tribute to work of UNRWA in unprecedentedly challenging circumstances and to the leadership of Commissioner General Lazzarini.
She stated that the UK welcome the UN’s leadership role in coordinating and delivering the humanitarian response while recognized that UNRWA is absolutely central to these efforts.
UK rep said the Agency is playing a critically important role in getting aid to those who need it in Gaza and providing essential services, including healthcare and education, to Palestinian refugees across the region.
She also used the opportunity to pay tribute to those brave and selfless UNRWA staff who face danger every day as they work to get aid to those in desperate need.
She said, the UK stands with 117 Member States, led by Jordan, Slovenia and Kuwait, in making clear shared commitment to UNWRA and to make clear our support for the vital role it plays in saving lives and promoting regional stability a fundamental building block for lasting peace.
She made it known that the UK appalled by the allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October attacks against Israel but happy that the Secretary-General and the Commissioner General of UNRWA took these allegations seriously and acted decisively.
“And we are confident that UNRWA is taking robust action in response Catherine Colonna’s independent review, to ensure it meets the highest standards of neutrality, transparency and accountability”.
Woodward noted that the UK recognises the importance of UNRWA’s mandate and need for UNRWA to operate on a sustainable financial footing. “Following last week’s elections in the United Kingdom, the new Foreign Secretary is closely considering resuming UK funding to UNRWA”, she said.