The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) is the main organization providing humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees. It supports six million people and plays a critical role in Gaza, especially during the ongoing Israeli bombardment.
However, UNRWA is now facing a major funding crisis after its largest donors, led by the United States, cut off support due to allegations that some of its staff were involved in the October 7 Hamas attack.
UNRWA’s Funding Crisis
UNRWA’s commissioner-general, Philippe Lazzarini, has called the funding cuts an “additional collective punishment” on Palestinians, who are already suffering from nearly four months of war.
The decision to cut funding came after Israel accused 12 UNRWA employees of participating in the Hamas attack. While the UN has dismissed staff linked to the claims, it has also opposed defunding the agency.
Lazzarini warned that if funding remains suspended, UNRWA may be forced to shut down by the end of February, affecting not only Gaza but also its operations across the region.
Are the Israeli Allegations Verified?
Palestinians and human rights groups have accused Israel of providing false information to discredit UNRWA. The UN has not received any solid evidence from Israel, according to UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) also stated that it is unaware of any written proof being provided to UNRWA’s donor countries. Despite this, several nations have already frozen their financial support.
Why Was UNRWA Created?
UNRWA was established on December 8, 1949, by the United Nations General Assembly. Its purpose was to provide food, healthcare, education, and other aid to Palestinian refugees who were displaced when Israel was created in 1948—a tragedy Palestinians call the Nakba (“The Catastrophe”).
UNRWA operates in:
- Gaza Strip
- Occupied West Bank (including East Jerusalem)
- Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan
What Does UNRWA Do?
UNRWA provides essential services to millions of Palestinian refugees, including:
- Schools for over 500,000 children
- Healthcare clinics and social programs
- Food aid and financial assistance for families in need
- Employment opportunities for thousands of Palestinians
However, UNRWA does not have the mandate to resettle refugees, a point strongly opposed by Israel.
Why is UNRWA Critical for Palestinians?
Since the war in Gaza began on October 7, UNRWA has been the only major humanitarian provider in the region.
- Nearly 1 million displaced Palestinians are currently sheltering in UNRWA buildings.
- Most of Gaza’s population depends on UNRWA for food, clean water, and medical aid.
- UNRWA is also a major employer, with over 30,000 staff members in Gaza, the West Bank, and refugee camps in neighboring countries.
- Unemployment in Gaza has skyrocketed, with 66% of jobs lost since the war started.
Who are UNRWA’s biggest donors?
In 2022, UNRWA’s top funding sources were:
- United States
- Germany
- European Union
- Sweden
- Norway
- Japan
- France
- Saudi Arabia
- Switzerland
- Turkey
However, the U.S., Germany, and Switzerland have now frozen their funding, and the European Union is reviewing its support.
What Happens if UNRWA’s Funding Stops?
Without funding, UNRWA cannot provide food, medical care, or shelter to millions of Palestinians.
UNRWA’s Gaza director, Thomas White, warned that the situation is dire, saying:
“It’s difficult to imagine that Gazans will survive this crisis without UNRWA.”
Why Does Israel Want to Shut Down UNRWA?
Israel has long pushed to dismantle UNRWA, arguing that it keeps the refugee issue alive instead of solving it.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that UNRWA is “infiltrated by Hamas”, but the UN disputes this, stating that UNRWA shares its employee lists with Israel every year.
Despite these accusations, UNRWA remains the only organization providing large-scale aid to Palestinians. Cutting off its funding could worsen the humanitarian disaster in Gaza and beyond.
