– / AFP
Israel-Hamas war: UNRWA is losing its funding, what consequences can be expected in Gaza? (Photo of Palestinian refugees and a UNRWA member moving bags of food in Rafah on January 28)
International – About twenty international NGOs said that they “rebellion” Tuesday 30 January by the decision by 12 countries to suspend their financial support to the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). This comes after Israeli allegations that 12 of UNRWA’s 30,000 staff may have been involved in a Hamas attack on Israeli soil on 7 October.
In response to these allegations, the employees involved were immediately fired. On Monday 29 January, the European Union requested an audit of the UN agency’s operations.
In addition to specific questions about the alleged participation of these personnel in the bloody attacks of Hamas, the fact remains that the sudden cessation of funding for this UN agency will not be without consequences for Palestinian refugees, whether in Gaza, but also in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and the West Bank. In total, 5.9 million Palestinians are registered with the Agency in these territories.
However, the impact of this funding suspension, even temporary, could be more dramatic in Gaza. Because she is not just experiencing a situation “Humanitarian Disaster”But in addition Palestinian refugees represent about 80% of the 2.4 million inhabitants, according to UNRWA data.
As a reminder, UNRWA was created in late December 1949 by the UN General Assembly after the first conflict that erupted after the creation of Israel in May 1948. According to TV5 Monde, the agency is mandated to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to Palestinian refugees registered within the agency’s jurisdiction, ” While waiting for a just and permanent solution to their situation. »
Registered persons can thus benefit from services including education, health care, social services, camp infrastructure, microfinance and emergency assistance, including during times of armed conflict.
There are a total of 60 refugee camps managed by the UN agency, including 19 in the West Bank, Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967. More than 540,000 children study in UNRWA schools.
The cessation or reduction of UNRWA activities thus threatens the entire system of assistance to the Palestinian population. While in recent weeks, “In the Gaza Strip, the humanitarian crisis has reached catastrophic levels », warns Médecins Sans Frontières in a press release, which emphasizes the serious difficulties accumulated since October and the war waged by Israel against Hamas. ” Humanitarian organizations are already struggling to meet a fraction of the population’s immediate needs. Any reduction in aid will lead to more death and suffering
», condemns the institution.” Anrwa provides basic life services for refugees. This is not additional humanitarian aid, it is the basis of survival for this population », warning for HuffPost Claire Magon, Director General of Médecins Sans Frontières.
While Gaza is A field of ruins », UNRWA staff, who are made up of refugees, are responsible for bringing food, coordinating shelters, but also fetching drinking water from wells. ” If the funding stopped tomorrow, it would be completely irresponsible “, she insists.
Same story with Amnesty International, which “ A devastating blow » which will be extended to more than two million refugees from the de facto Gaza Strip. For those who ” This organization is the only lifeline “
There will be consequences Quite significant “, estimates Stephane Amar, correspondent of France 24 in Jerusalem, which emphasizes the fact that Unerva is” An essential component of the Palestinian cause and life in the occupied territories. » « If UNRWA collapses, the entire fabric of Palestinian society collapses. “, he assures.
The controversy surrounding the allegations, and for which the European Commission requested an audit of Unrva’s operations, “Distracts attention from nearly 27,000 deaths, 70% of them women and children” In Gaza, Christian Lindmeier, spokesman for the World Health Organization (WHO), expressed his condolences. “This distracts from the fact that entire populations are prevented from accessing clean water, food, shelter”And “Subject to constant bombardment” By the Israeli army, he asserted.
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