UN Encourages US And UK To Revoke UNRWA's Decision To Stop Funding

JAKARTA - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the United States (US), Britain, and several other countries to temporarily cancel plans to suspend funding of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

He said the urgent needs of Palestinian refugees must be met.

"Although I understand their concerns, I myself feel concerned about this accusation", I strongly appeal to the governments who have stopped their contribution, to at least guarantee the sustainability of UNRWA's work, Guterres said in a statement issued by his office, quoted from Anadolu via Antara, Sunday, January 28, quoted by Antara.

Meanwhile, two million civilians in Gaza depend on important assistance from UNRWA for daily survival, but UNRWA funding is currently not enough to meet all their needs in February.

The disgusting actions taken by these staff members must be accounted for. However, the tens of thousands of men and women who work for UNRWA, many of whom are in the most dangerous situation for humanitarian workers, should not be punished, "he said.

UNRWA said it had fired several of its staff for alleged involvement in the October 7 attack on Israelis.

The US, UK, Italy, Australia, Canada, Finland and the Netherlands decided to stop funding for UNRWA following Israel's claims on Friday.

Norway welcomes investigations into several UNRWA staff, but has said it will continue to support Palestinians through UNRWA.

Ireland also announced that it would not stop funding for the UN agency.

"The organization took swift action following the very serious accusations against several UNRWA staff members," Guterres said.

Guterres said that the United Nations was taking swift action to investigate the matter through the UN Internal Supervision Service Office (OIOS).

Of the 12 people involved, nine were immediately identified and dismissed by UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini; one is confirmed dead, and the other two are being clarified," he said.

Every UN employee involved in a terrorist act will be held accountable, including criminally demanding, the statement said.

Earlier on January 7, UNRWA announced a full and independent review of its organization.

Although the International Court (ICJ) on Friday issued a temporary ruling ruling Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza, Israel continues to carry out an indiscriminate attack on the enclave.

Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip have killed at least 26,422 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and 65,087 people injured since October 7, 2023, according to Palestinian health authorities.

According to the United Nations, Israeli attacks have also left 85 percent of Gaza's population displaced amid a food, clean water, and drug crisis, while 60 percent of infrastructure in the enclave is damaged or destroyed.