September, Thursday 19, 2024

Potential Collapse of Aid System in Gaza-Israel Conflict if UNRWA Funding is Withheld: UN Issues Warning


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United Nations (UN) officials have issued a warning that the withdrawal of funding for UNRWA, the main aid agency in Gaza, could lead to the collapse of the humanitarian system. The US, UK, and other countries have halted their funding citing the alleged involvement of some UN staff in the Hamas attacks on Israel that occurred on 7 October. The UN has already fired several staff members due to these allegations and has initiated an investigation into the matter. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused UNRWA of being infiltrated by Hamas, claiming that 13 UNRWA workers were involved in the October attacks. However, despite the allegations, the US, the biggest donor to UNRWA, has expressed the desire to see the aid agency continue its work, as no humanitarian player in Gaza can match the scale of assistance provided by UNRWA. The UN Secretary General has announced an independent investigation into the agency, while a spokesperson for UNRWA has warned that the organization will not be able to continue its operations beyond February if funding is not resumed. The UN Inter-Agency Standing Committee has stated that any UN employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, but the entire organization should not be prevented from fulfilling its mandate. The committee further emphasizes that withdrawing funds from UNRWA would result in the collapse of the humanitarian system in Gaza, leading to dire consequences for human rights and humanitarian efforts in the Palestinian territory and beyond. The UN's humanitarian coordinator for Gaza has also pointed out that no other organization can replace UNRWA due to its extensive knowledge of the population in Gaza. Several countries, including Germany, Sweden, and Japan, have also suspended their funding. UN Secretary General António Guterres has urged these countries to reconsider their decision during a meeting with representatives of more than 30 donor states.