Gaza needs the lifeline that is the UNRWA

▶ Nations that have suspended funding to the refugee agency must reconsider their decision

The US, UK and Germany are some of the biggest donors to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The donor countries, along with Italy, the Netherlands, Finland, Australia and Canada, are among those that have suspended funding to the agency since it was alleged that 12 of its employees may have been involved in the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.

The agency is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states. If the allegations against the 12 staff members prove to be true, then those found guilty of wrongdoing should be dealt with accordingly. There can be no room for extremism in any aid organisation, least of all a UN-affiliated one that has kept many of the 1.9 million displaced people in Gaza and the Palestinian territories sheltered from Israeli bombardment, in addition to its support for millions of Palestinian refugees.

The UNRWA has already terminated services of nine employees and further investigations are under way. Neither Philippe Lazzarini, the agency’s commissioner general, nor Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary General, have minced words on the gravity of the matter. Mr Guterres said: “Any UN employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.”

While the damage done to the agency’s reputation is significant, the actions of a few people do not, and should not, undermine the important and noble work of the organisation. The UNRWA’s 13,000 employees deliver health, education, social services and emergency assistance in the enclave across hundreds of buildings and complexes, in addition to their crucial support to Palestinian refugees for decades.

The agency’s work is all the more notable given it has often faced a shortage of funds. Mr Lazzarini is right in terming the suspension of funding as “collective punishment” to the Palestinians.

Such a punishing act should be reconsidered, particularly when other member states such as Norway and Ireland have kept perspective on the matter. The Norwegian delegation in Palestine said on social media: “We need to distinguish between what individuals may have done and what UNRWA stands for.” More countries should follow their example.

Instead, the speed with which the nine countries have suspended funding is in contrast with the failure of some of the same countries to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, despite repeated attempts by other members in the UN Security Council. While a ceasefire would have saved many of the 26,400 lives over the past almost four months, pausing funding will make matters much worse for the survivors.

If the funding of the largest humanitarian actor in war-torn Gaza continues to be withheld, the consequences, will be acutely felt. Palestinians desperately need the war to end, but irrespective of whether or not a ceasefire is called, it is imperative that the US and UK and other countries reassess their actions in light of the effects that cutting off funding will have on Palestinians. It is not a fate the people deserve, it is the opposite of it.