The United Nations Palestine Relief Agency (UNRWA), which has been under criticism since the major attack by the terrorist organization Hamas, is on the verge of collapse, according to its head. “The agency is in mortal danger and is in danger of being dissolved,” Swiss broadcaster RTS said.
The Swiss-Italian diplomat said the fate of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip was at stake. However, he is cautiously optimistic that some donors will fund the aid agency again in the coming weeks.
Several UNRWA employees have resigned following allegations
Several countries, including Israel’s closest ally the United States, as well as Austria and Germany, stopped paying UNRWA after the Israeli government alleged in January that about a dozen of the organization’s 13,000 employees in the Gaza Strip were involved in the attack from Hamas in October. 7th. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called the allegations credible in the past and promised a comprehensive investigation. There are currently two different investigations underway. The collaboration with a number of employees was terminated immediately.
Lazzarini: “The fate of the Palestinians is at stake”
An independent investigation was launched under the leadership of former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna. “I am cautiously optimistic that in the coming weeks and after the publication of Catherine Colonna’s report, some donors will return,” Lazzarini said in an interview with Swiss television on Saturday. “What is at stake is the short-term fate of the Palestinians in Gaza, who are experiencing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.”
3,000 UNRWA workers are still active in the Gaza Strip
UNRWA runs schools, clinics and other social services in Gaza and distributes humanitarian aid. About 3,000 workers are still working to provide aid in the Gaza Strip, where the United Nations says 576,000 people – a quarter of the population – are on the brink of famine.
Several countries have resumed payments despite the investigation, with Sweden and Canada recently agreeing to do so. The reason for resuming payments to the aid agency includes the “catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza,” Canadian Development Minister Ahmed Hussen said on Friday (local time), according to a statement. “The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is devastating and the needs are acute,” Swedish International Development Cooperation Minister Johan Forssell said on Saturday.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
