UNRWA Confronts USD200M Financial Crisis
(MENAFN) The United Nations agency dedicated to Palestine refugees, UNRWA, is confronting a severe financial crisis, with a $200 million deficit looming through the end of the year. The agency can only ensure its operations remain functional until September, its head warned Tuesday.
Speaking at a Berlin press conference after discussions with German officials, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini urged Germany and global partners to intensify their support to sustain critical services for Palestinian refugees.
"My call and my plea to Germany is to remain committed to the agency in the foreseeable future—to help and to signal to the Palestinians that Germany and European countries have not turned their backs," Lazzarini emphasized.
He further stressed the importance of international solidarity: "And I think it's important to signal that countries remain committed and involved, especially at a time when the plight and future of Palestinians are so uncertain."
Addressing the agency’s financial struggles, Lazzarini outlined the dire situation UNRWA faces as it continues to provide vital assistance across the occupied territories and in refugee-hosting nations like Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan.
"The shortfall between now and the end of the year is about $200 million. As an agency, just to process the payroll of our staff, we need $60 million. So basically, we have no visibility anymore beyond September. Our situation is even more dire this year than the previous year," he revealed.
The funding crisis has deepened amid a damaging Israeli campaign accusing some UNRWA staff of involvement in the October 7 attacks. Despite repeated requests, the agency says Israel has not supplied any evidence to back these claims. The accusations have led major donors, including the United States, to halt or reduce their financial contributions, exacerbating the agency’s precarious financial position.
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