The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is experiencing an extremely severe financial crisis, with a deficit estimated at around $200 million, which threatens its ability to continue operating through the end of this year, according to the agency’s media advisor, Adnan Abu Hasna.
اضافة اعلان
In a press statement published on the official UNRWA website, Abu Hasna emphasized that the crisis is not limited to Gaza or the West Bank, but affects all of the agency’s operational areas, including Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and East Jerusalem. He described the financial situation as very critical.
Abu Hasna called on the international community to take action in support of the agency, stressing that this is not the sole responsibility of UNRWA, but rather the responsibility of UN General Assembly member states.
He added that “UNRWA is not a corporation, nor does it receive funding from taxes like governments do.” Instead, about 90% of its budget depends on donations, and the only viable alternative is continued support for the agency.
Abu Hasna had previously sounded the alarm, warning that UNRWA’s current funding is only sufficient until the end of June, and urged the Arab world to step in and provide financial support.
UNRWA is funded almost entirely through voluntary contributions from United Nations member states. Its services include education, healthcare, relief and social services, infrastructure and camp improvement, community support, microfinance, and emergency response, including during armed conflict.
— (Petra)
