UN Chief Warns Millions of Palestinians Face Risk Over UNRWA Funding Gap

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on member states to close a $100 million funding gap for UNRWA. He warned that millions of Palestinian refugees face serious risk without urgent support. Guterres made the appeal at a donor conference on Tuesday.

What Guterres Said

Guterres described the situation facing Palestinian refugees as increasingly precarious. He pointed to harsh conditions in Gaza, settler violence in the occupied West Bank and Israeli strikes in Lebanon. He said the agency's cash shortfall now threatens its work across the entire region.

He warned that further funding cuts could push conditions past a breaking point. Guterres also pushed back against what he called ongoing efforts to weaken the agency. He cited disinformation campaigns, legislative moves and operational restrictions as key threats.

Why UNRWA Faces a Funding Crisis

The UN General Assembly created UNRWA in 1949 to assist Palestinians displaced during Israel's founding. The agency now serves around 2.6 million Palestinian refugees across five locations. It runs aid programs, schools, healthcare services and shelter operations throughout the region.

The United States once served as UNRWA's largest single donor. Washington cut its funding in January 2024 following Israeli allegations against agency staff. Israel claimed some UNRWA employees took part in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, without releasing supporting evidence.

A UN oversight investigation later reviewed the allegations against 19 named staff members. It found that nine employees may have had some involvement in the attack. Investigators found no evidence, or insufficient evidence, against the remaining ten staff members.

Impact on Agency Operations

UNRWA has scaled back operations due to the ongoing funding gap. Guterres said the agency has introduced reforms and updated its political activity policies since the allegations surfaced. He argued the agency still plays a stabilizing role during a period of regional instability.

Guterres also said 390 UNRWA staff members have died in Gaza since October 2023. He attributed these deaths to Israeli military action in the territory. The UN General Assembly renewed UNRWA's mandate six months ago with strong member state backing.

International Reaction

Turkiye's UN representative, Ahmet Yildiz, said UNRWA faces unprecedented political pressure and obstruction. He said agency staff and facilities have faced repeated physical assaults inside Gaza. Yildiz argued that these actions violate international law and aim to block Palestinian refugees' right of return.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said final results from the donor meeting would be announced Wednesday. Officials have not yet confirmed how much new funding member states pledged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How large is UNRWA's current funding shortfall?

UNRWA faces a $100 million funding gap, according to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

Q: Why did the United States cut funding to UNRWA?

The US cut funding in January 2024 after Israel alleged some staff joined the October 7 attack.

Q: How many Palestinian refugees does UNRWA serve?

UNRWA provides aid and services to about 2.6 million Palestinian refugees across the region.

Q: What did the UN investigation find about the allegations?

Investigators found possible involvement by nine of 19 named staff, with no evidence against the others.

Q: How many UNRWA staff have died in Gaza since 2023?

Guterres said 390 UNRWA personnel have been killed in Gaza since October 2023.