Following a funding shortfall tied to allegations that some UNRWA employees were involved in attacks on Israel, Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, turned to Gulf monarchies for financial support. A Wall Street Journal report notes that the agency sought assistance from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to bridge the gap.
But the additional funds raised were not sufficient to cover the losses. The reported amount, about 85 million dollars, could not fully compensate for the costs incurred by UNRWA as it sought to maintain essential services for Palestinian refugees.
Last year, the United States provided more than 422 million dollars to UNRWA. Those funds are projected to sustain operations only through May, after which critical humanitarian activities in the Gaza Strip may need to be scaled back. In particular, the agency supports food distribution, shelter, and other life-saving services for more than one million people, while UNRWA’s 3,000 personnel continue to deliver health care and other vital aid. The ripple effects of reduced funding would extend to other UN agencies and a broader network of partner charities that rely on UNRWA for logistical and programmatic support.
Facing the financial squeeze, officials warned that the agency was rapidly approaching a precarious point. Without fresh financing, UNRWA would confront uncharted operational terrain, potentially restricting aid delivery and access to essential services in Gaza.
Meanwhile, a significant portion of Gaza’s 2.2 million residents has already fled their homes, with many lacking adequate medical care and facing the risk of hunger. In this context, some donor governments including Canada, Sweden, Australia, and Finland signaled plans to resume suspended funding to UNRWA, highlighting the urgency for predictable and sustained support to meet immediate humanitarian needs.
Israel has raised concerns about integrity within UNRWA, noting that more than a dozen workers, including teachers, have been connected to armed groups during recent conflicts. The agency has dismissed those involved and stated there is no evidence that such links are widespread across the organization. The United Nations subsequently opened investigations into UNRWA’s impartiality and governance.
Earlier, discussions centered on the review of staff dismissals within UNRWA conducted in relation to Israeli allegations, with observers urging careful verification of all claims and continued focus on delivering aid impartially.
In related developments, UNRWA has faced criticism from various quarters alleging misconduct and urging reforms to strengthen transparency and accountability across its programs. The agency maintains that its core mission remains the delivery of essential assistance to refugees and the protection of their rights while navigating complex political and security terrains.