UNRWA · Suspension of international funding to Maldita.es

United Nations Humanitarian Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on 26 January sent That the Israeli intelligence agency had discovered the alleged involvement of agency employees in the attack carried out by Hamas on Israel on October 7. UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini Announced that it would potentially terminate the contracts of those involved and that it would launch an internal investigation.,

in the next days, many countries he announced it temporarily suspended Funding this agency until the internal investigation is completed. Some European states, such as norway, Spain and IrelandAnd this European Union They have stated that they will maintain funding as long as the research continues until the publication of this article.

What does UNRWA’s internal investigation involve?

Published by UNRWA on 26 January a statement It was signed by Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini, in which he announced israeli intelligence had discovered Alleged involvement of agency employees In Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel. Lazzarini said he would terminate the contracts of those employees and launch an internal investigation to clarify the facts.

in the next days, many countries Announced the temporary suspension of funding for this agency until the completion of the ongoing internal investigation.

The number of people fired from jobs is not clear. In the first moment, 12 people were talked toBut UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said so It was 9 there. The Israeli intelligence agency has accused some of these people of other crimes, including kidnapping, distributing ammunition or participating in attacks on kibbutzim.

What is UNRWA, the agency for Palestinian refugees?

United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Middle East (UNRWA) The organization that cares for 5.9 million Palestinian refugees and descendants who are distributed throughout the world, mainly Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Palestinian occupied areas of Gaza and West Bank,

The agency was established in 1949 The conflict that took place in the former British Mandate areas of Palestine To help people displaced by war. Although The purpose of the agency was temporaryThe organization itself states that the lack of conflict resolution has led to the continuous expansion of its activity up to the present day.

It is important to highlight that there is another UN agency, independent of UNRWA, which is responsible for ensuring Rights of refugees in the rest of the world:UNHCR. Under his mandate, there are about 30 million people,

Who finances UNRWA?

UNRWA is one such organization

depends on the united nationsBut it is not financed only by this. Countries, other international organizations and private donors provide UNRWA resources., By April 30, 2023, UNRWA’s full annual budget It amounted to US$431,193,971 (about 400 million euros at the exchange rate). The main donors are the European Union ($87,888,532), the United States ($53,123,854) and Sweden ($40,575,790).

Spain finances UNRWA through several administrations., On one hand, $269,107 from the central government. On the other hand, $4,470,045 (The Valencian Community has said it will analyze whether to withdraw funding from July 2024, Finally, UNRWA’s Spanish division itself raised $502,183 from public and private entities. overall, Their total amount is 5,241,335 dollars (about 4.7 million euros),

Which countries have suspended UNRWA funding?

till 30 january usa, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, finland, Japan, estonia, latvia, lithuania, Swiss, austria And Australia In addition to other countries, they have announced suspension of funding until the investigation is clear. So far, UNRWA has lost half its budget,

Other countries, such as norway, Spain and Ireland, have announced that they will maintain funding, although they will focus on the investigation. Other states like Sweden have not yet commented.

What has Spain said about UNRWA funding?

Jose Manuel Alberes, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Said in Congress on January 29 He Spain will maintain funding to UNRWA And it will closely follow the internal investigation conducted by the agency.

What has the EU said about UNRWA funding?

The European Commission announced this on January 29 UNRWA will maintain fundingHowever it has demanded that the organization be externally audited and that all UNRWA staff be evaluated to confirm that they did not participate in the 7 October attacks.

How have UNRWA and Israel reacted to the suspension of the agency’s funding?

UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini issued a statement on 27 January new statement in which he said he found “the suspension of funding to the agency in response to allegations against a small group of staff, particularly given the immediate action taken by UNRWA, shocking.”

Israel’s response.

He New Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz have given thanks States that have suspended funding to UNRWA and asked Lazzarini let him resign,

This is not the first time that Israel has spoken out about the involvement of UNRWA staff in the 7 October Hamas attacks. On 29th December, Times of Israel published 14 UNRWA staff in Gaza “commented the atrocities” committed that day. The same newspaper wrote that Israel intended for UNRWA to leave Gaza.