UN agency for Palestinian refugees asks for more funding

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), which is no longer receiving US funding, has asked other donor nations for more money, warning that its operations could suffer without a cash infusion.

“We run week by week, month by month. I know that as of today, we will be able to process our salaries in November, but have no idea if or no visibility if we will be able to process our salaries in December,” chief Philippe Lazzarini tells a press conference.

Israel has barred UNRWA from operating on its soil after accusing employees of participating in the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, and of inciting against it.

Following those allegations, the United States — historically the agency’s biggest donor — suspended its support. In the wake of Israel’s decision, UNRWA was forced to repatriate its international staff from Gaza and the West Bank, limiting its food aid distribution abilities.

But it still employs 12,000 people in the Palestinian territories, and its services are vital to Palestinians, Lazzarini insists.

“About 75,000 people were sheltered in 100 of our premises across the Gaza Strip,” he tells reporters at the UN headquarters in New York.