Sweden's Decision To Stop Significant Funding, UNRWA: The Conditions In Gaza Are Very Bad

UNRWA schools in Gaza that were used as shelters for Palestinian refugees were destroyed by Israeli attacks. (Source: UNRWA)

JAKARTA - Sweden's decision to cut funding for the United Nations Agency for Assistance and Work (UNRWA) will have a significant and detrimental impact on education in the five regions where the agency operates, including the Gaza Strip, spokesman Adnan Abu Hasna said Sunday.

Sweden last week decided to stop funding for UNRWA and divert its aid to other organizations, following a ban from Israel.

Abu Hasna spoke to the Voice of Palestine radio, emphasizing the broad consequences of this lack of funds on the education of Palestinian refugees.

He explained that the decision was taken amid increasing international pressure, particularly with Norway seeking advisory opinion from the International Court on Israel's efforts to limit UNRWA operations.

According to him, this situation is very worrying because it worsens the condition of life that is already critical in Gaza.

"The conditions in Gaza are very bad, with disease spreading widely and a very disturbed public health system," Abu Hasneh said, launching WAFA December 23.

"Only 6 percent of the essential supplies required by residents are allowed into the Gaza Strip, with only 60 trucks allowed into the enclave every day by Israeli authorities," he explained.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated in recent months. Limited aid allowed into the region was quickly distributed by UNRWA, but the agency continues to face constant theft from criminal gangs, which further hampers its efforts to provide assistance.

Abu Hasneh also highlighted the increase in disease previously invisible in the region. Hepatitis, for example, now infects about 1,000 people every week. The ongoing blockade, combined with a lack of adequate medical supplies and infrastructure, has made it very difficult to address this emerging health threat.

As previously reported, Sweden will no longer fund, but will provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza through other channels, state aid minister Benjamin Dousa told TV4.

Dousa said the decision was taken in response to Israel's ban, as it would make the distribution of aid to Palestine more difficult.

On the other hand, Dousa said Sweden plans to increase humanitarian aid as a whole to Gaza next year.

"There are several other organizations in Gaza, I have just been there and met some of them," he said, citing the World Food Program of the United Nations as one of the potential recipients.

It is known that the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) passed a law prohibiting UNRWA from operating in Israeli territory and occupied Palestinian territory, including the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, last October. That goes into effect later next month.

Israel said UNRWA staff took part in the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 on Israel, which sparked the war in Gaza. Later, the UN said nine UNRWA staff might be involved and have been fired.

UNRWA was founded by the UN General Assembly in 1949 after the war that broke out around the founding of Israel. The United Nations has repeatedly said there is no alternative for UNRWA, which provides assistance, health, and education for millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan.