After funding was cut due to allegations that employees were involved in attacks on Israel, Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), turned to Arab monarchies in the Persian Gulf for aid. help. writer WSJ .
However, the publication writes that the $85 million collected from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE was not enough to cover the losses.
Last year, the United States allocated more than $422 million to the agency. The funds received will only last until May, after which the agency will have to reduce humanitarian activities in the Gaza Strip, including providing food and shelter to more than 1 million people. . Other UN agencies and charities rely on UNRWA, whose 3,000 staff distribute the bulk of aid and provide essential health services.
“But for how long? We are having difficulty working. Without additional financing, we will find ourselves in uncharted territory,” warned Lazzarini.
Many of Gaza’s 2.2 million residents have already fled their homes, lack adequate medical care and are on the brink of starvation. Possibility of the situation getting worse requested The newspaper writes that Canada, Sweden, Australia and Finland will restart suspended funds.
Israel accused More than a dozen UNRWA workers, including teachers, have been implicated in Hamas attacks, and hundreds of others claim links to armed groups. The agency fired those involved in the attacks but said there was no evidence the attacks were widespread. The UN launched two investigations into the agency’s impartiality.
Before that in the Russian Federation in the name Review of dismissals of UNRWA staff due to Israeli allegations.
Previously UNRWA accused Israel tortures employees.