JAKARTA - The head of the UN aid agency for Palestine (UNRWA) visited three Gulf countries this week, seeking to garner support after a number of major donors suspended funding following Israeli allegations related to some of its staff involved in the October attack by the Hamas group on its territory.
UNRWA Commissioner Philippe Lazzarini in a tweet on X wrote that he met with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Secretary of State Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday to discuss UNRWA's work in "maintaining stability in the region" and providing assistance to two million people in Gaza.
Spokesman Total Touma told Reuters Lazzarini would then visit Qatar and Kuwait this weekend.
"We hope that those who delay (defense) will reconsider and others will also take steps forward," he said.
About 15 of the agency's most important donors, including the United States, have suspended funding on Israeli charges involving 12 of its 13,000 staff, prompting UNRWA to warn last week that the agency may have been forced to close in late February.
Kuwait and Qatar are ranked 19th and 20th in the list of 20 top UNRWA donors, each donating $12 million and 10.5 million US dollars in 2022.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres previously said nine people involved had been laid off, one person was killed and two others were being clarified.
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It is known that UNRWA, which was founded in 1949 after the war around the founding of Israel, provided essential education, health and assistance services to millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. In Gaza, they provide protection for about one million people who have just fled due to the Israeli-Hamas conflict.
Although some countries such as Spain and private donors have taken action to help the agency since the financial crisis began late last month, Touma said the aid was not enough to close the gap estimated at around $440 million.
In Abu Dhabi, I met His Highness @ABZayed and we discussed the important role played by @UNRWA in preserving the stability in the region and delivering humanitarian aid to #PalestineRefugees, particularly in the #GazaStrip where 2 million people depend on the Agency for survival. pic.twitter.com/i8ZZdzc7pE
— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) February 5, 2024
In Abu Dhabi, I met His Highness @ABZayed and we disclosed the imported role played by @UNRWA in preparing the stability in the region and delivery humanitarian Aid to #PaletineRefugees, partially in the #GazaStrip where 2 million people depend on the Agency for survival. pic.twitter.com/i8ZZdzc7pE
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