Martin plea to restore Palestine aid funding
TANAISTE Micheal Martin has urged countries to reverse their suspension of funding to the United Nations aid agency for Palestinian refugees.
The organisation’s chief, who was in Ireland yesterday, has warned of “apocalyptic” consequences if Israel carried out a ground offensive in southern Gaza.
Announcing that Ireland was to pledge €20million in support for UNRWA, Mr Martin said he was “deeply concerned” that the agency’s major donors continued to suspend funding.
The aid agency, which provides essential services, including healthcare and education in Gaza, is facing an uncertain future after Israel alleged that 12 of its staff were involved in the October 7 attack, which led to key donors withdrawing their funding.
UNRWA commissioner general Philippe Lazzarini, who met with Mr Martin in Dublin yesterday, said the agency had lost out on €419million and was facing a major shortfall.
He warned of dire consequences if Israel pressed ahead with a planned assault in Rafah.
DESPERATE
He said the southern city in Gaza was a “human sea of people”, made up of a “desperate”, displaced population.
Asked about what could happen in the region, Mr Lazzarini said: “I think it could be just apocalyptic, it’s an additional layer of total disaster which has already hit this population and the region.”
Mr Lazzarini said the suspension of funding was impacting the agency’s ability to operate in Gaza.
Mr Martin said he was deeply concerned that a number of UNRWA’S key donors suspended their funding based on allegations against a very small number of staff that have yet to be proven.
He continued: “Our partners in the European Union and elsewhere, including the US, must urgently rescind this decision and resume funding.
“Ireland’s support remains steadfast and I’m happy today to announce funding of €20million for UNRWA for its operations in 2024.
“The International Court of Justice ordered Israel to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services in humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
“Instead, Israel has launched a disinformation campaign against UNRWA. Sufficient aid is still not reaching civilians in Gaza and that is very unacceptable.”