UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is indispensable and cannot be replaced, calling on member states to provide political and financial support for the agency and protect its mandate and role in serving Palestinian refugees.
Guterres made the remarks during a ministerial meeting held at UN headquarters and co-hosted by Jordan, Brazil and Spain to mobilize political and financial support for UNRWA and reaffirm the importance of the role assigned to the agency by the UN General Assembly.
Guterres said that for decades, and under extremely difficult circumstances, UNRWA has provided essential public services to Palestinian refugees, but its mandate and operations are now at risk.
He noted that the agency has been forced for years to operate under exceptional pressure, with around 400 of its staff members martyred in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023. Hundreds of its facilities have also been damaged, destroyed or rendered inaccessible, while its schools and health centers in East Jerusalem have been forcibly closed.
He said UNRWA’s headquarters in East Jerusalem had been raided and demolished, while Israeli authorities had raided and taken control of the agency’s Qalandia Training Center. He stressed that such measures are “completely unacceptable” and inconsistent with Israel’s obligations under international law.
Guterres added that UNRWA is also facing a political campaign aimed at undermining its ability to operate and depriving Palestinian refugees of their rights. He stressed that the agency continues to carry out its work in Gaza, the West Bank including East Jerusalem, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
He explained that UNRWA provides humanitarian, development and protection services to around 6 million Palestinian refugees until a just and lasting solution to their plight is reached. The agency is facing a severe financial crisis, with a cash shortfall of around $100 million threatening the continuity of its operations and the well-being of millions of Palestinian refugees.
Guterres called on member states to act urgently and provide political and financial support to UNRWA to protect its mandate, support Palestinian refugees and safeguard their rights.
Jordanian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Safadi also stressed that UNRWA is indispensable and cannot be replaced, particularly given the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. He highlighted the agency’s ability to provide assistance and support to millions of Palestinians suffering from hunger and cold amid shortages of healthcare facilities and educational opportunities.
Safadi said countries participating in the meeting stressed the need for UNRWA to continue operating under the mandate granted to it by the UN General Assembly. He expressed appreciation for countries that announced new contributions to the agency, including France, Germany and Belgium.
He affirmed that the countries organizing and co-hosting the meeting would continue to stress the need to prevent the dismantling of UNRWA, describing it as the main agency providing support to Palestinian refugees.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares reaffirmed Spain’s support for UNRWA and its work in Palestine and the region. He said Spain had provided $18 million to the agency this year and announced during the meeting that the Council of Ministers had approved an additional contribution of €3 million.
Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said the international community stands with UNRWA, condemning what he described as an organized campaign against the agency’s operations, facilities and staff, including attacks, legislation, harassment and smear campaigns.
He also referred to the demolition of UNRWA’s headquarters in East Jerusalem and the raid on and takeover of the agency’s Qalandia Training Center facilities.
UNRWA Acting Commissioner-General Christian Saunders thanked the agency’s supporting countries, stressing that UNRWA continues to operate on the ground and implement the mandate entrusted to it by the UN General Assembly despite the difficult circumstances facing Palestinian refugees, particularly in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Source: Wafa
