Gaza: US, UK block UNRWA funding

(New York)– USA and U.K. Human Rights Watch said the two governments have yet to restore critical funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The two governments should take immediate action to restore support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the largest relief organization in Gaza.

On July 12, 2024, the United States and the United Kingdom approved Shared Commitment Another 116 other governments acknowledged that UNRWA faces an “extremely critical financial situation” and “recognized that any interruption or suspension of its vital work could result in serious humanitarian, political and security risks.” But neither country reversed its decision to cut funding in January.

“The US and UK are now shameful outsiders as most donors have resumed funding to UNRWA,” Akshaya Kumarcrisis advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. “From the outset, the aid cutoff has been disproportionate to the allegations against UNRWA. Palestinians in Gaza are facing catastrophic food shortages, acute shortages of medical supplies, and repeated displacement, and UNRWA’s networks, experience, and ability to deliver relief are irreplaceable.”

The aid cuts are based on the Israeli authorities Allegations That 19 peopleOne of UNRWA’s 30,000 staff members participated The Israeli attack on October 7, Human Rights Watch found that these included War crimes and Crimes against humanity. independent Review Released on April 20, with an update on the ongoing UN investigation Your own internal investigator Both sides said they had found no evidence, nor received any from Israeli authorities, to support the key allegations.

90% of Gaza’s population Displaced or were forced to flee their homes, many multiple times, 96% Expected By September, food insecurity will reach crisis or worse.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, pregnant women in Gaza Finding access increasingly difficult Without access to the life-saving care they need, some emergency deliveries are taking place in tents without medical support. Provide comprehensive emergency obstetric and neonatal care Only in 11 facilitiesSevere fuel shortages hampered the operation of incubators and other equipment.

UNRWA officials said in a statement on July 14: describe Conditions at Nasser Hospital “many patients were treated on site without disinfectants,” “there were not enough beds, sanitary equipment, sheets or surgical gowns,” and he also saw “young children with double leg amputations, children who were paralyzed and could not receive treatment, and some children who were separated from their parents.”

UNRWA Director-General Philippe Lazzarini said at a UN pledging conference that UNRWA is still facing a financial crisis. “The agency’s ability to operate after September depends on whether member states allocate funds as planned and make new contributions to the core budget.” Mainly dependent on donations Providing funding to governments Work In Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Gaza and the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), contributions from governments to UNRWA are voluntary and discretionary.

In January, UNRWA Immediate termination The United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services, the internal investigative body of the United Nations, has signed a contract with 10 staff members allegedly involved in the October 7 attack. Two others were already dead by the time the allegations were made public. Opened The investigation into all 12 UNRWA staff members initially identified seven and later added seven, but then suspended investigations into four cases for lack of evidence and closed one case because Israel did not provide any supporting evidence. Investigations into the other cases are ongoing. Ongoing.

Separately, the UN Secretary-General appointed an independent panel, led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, to assess the neutrality of UNRWA. The panel published its findings. Own report In April, 50 recommendations were made, following which UNRWA Establishment of internal working group Monitor implementation of recommendations.

In response to Israel’s accusations in January, UNRWA said 16 countries had suspended contributions to the agency, while others said they would impose conditions on further funding. Australia, Austria, Canada, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Romaniaand Swedenpayments have now been resumed.

Other donors include France, Denmark, Switzerland, New Zealand,as well as European UnionThe Fund has never stopped donating, but has disbursed the funds previously planned to UNRWA in installments and has kept some of the remaining funds in Staging Under certain conditions. The Netherlands has Paid The Netherlands, which donated annually to UNRWA until the allegations came to light in January, announced it would suspend further funding. willing Provide UNRWA with additional funding as it implements the independent panel’s recommendations.

In early March, UNRWA provided the EU withWritten confirmation” and will “implement agreed conditions and measures,” including audits, strengthening of internal controls, and screening and vetting of employees.

The government includes Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norwayand slovenia Never cut off or slow down funding and call on others to keep the money flowing while others like Iraq, Qatarand Spain Increased donations because Humanitarian situation The situation in Gaza deteriorated.

Historically, the United States has been the largest donor to UNRWA, accounting for It accounts for one-third of the agency’s 2023 budget.After the Biden Administration Announce At the end of January, Congress passed a law suspending payments prohibit No further funding will be provided to UNRWA until at least March 2025. Biden administration officials told Human Rights Watch that the administration is redirecting funds originally intended for UNRWA to other aid agencies for use in Gaza.

The newly elected Labour government in the UK has not yet announced a change in policy, retaining the previous government’s policy of suspending UNRWA. David LamyThe current foreign secretary and other senior members of the Labour Party are publicly criticize Conservative government in January Decide Cut aid to UNRWA and urge it to restore funding. Indicated On 15 July, he would make a statement to Parliament on UNRWA “in the coming days”.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Filippo Lazzarini said the agency also faces ongoing Activity of reputation, legaland physical On January 31, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Tell A delegation of UN ambassadors said “UNRWA’s mission must end”, while Foreign Minister Israel Katz Make his intention clear UNRWA “will not be part of the day after tomorrow.” In February, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich Blocked A shipment of flour funded by the United States that was destined for UNRWA was forced to be sent through the World Food Programme.

Israeli authorities also seek abolition UNRWA has been granted tax exemptions and has taken action Closure of UNRWA offices Located on Israeli state property, limited length visa UNRWA international staff were banned from entering the country and were denied visas.

Human Rights Watch Record Both attacks targeted UNRWA aid workers, who had communicated their precise GPS coordinates to Israel for protection: one at a guest house in December 2023 and the other on a convoy in February 2024.

“By continuing to withhold funds, the United States and the United Kingdom are exacerbating the impact of the Israeli government’s actions against UNRWA and the people who depend on the agency,” Kumar said. “These governments claim they care about the hungry people of Gaza, but they are starving the very agencies best placed to feed them.”