Aid Restrictions and Dismantling UNRWA Will Compound Gazans’ Suffering
November 4, 2024 – The announcement by the United States to cut funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and the Israeli government’s decision to dismantle the agency altogether will have dire consequences for the people of Gaza.
UNRWA provides vital services to over 1.2 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza, including food aid, healthcare, education, and shelter. The agency’s presence in Gaza is essential to maintaining the stability of the region and preventing a humanitarian crisis.
The United States has been the largest donor to UNRWA, providing over $300 million in funding in 2018. The Trump administration has repeatedly threatened to cut funding to the agency, accusing it of bias against Israel. In August 2018, the administration announced that it would withhold $65 million in funding for UNRWA.
The Israeli government has also been critical of UNRWA, accusing it of perpetuating the refugee problem. In July 2019, the Israeli government announced that it would dismantle UNRWA and transfer its responsibilities to other organizations.
The dismantling of UNRWA would have a devastating impact on the people of Gaza. The agency provides essential services that are not available from other sources. Without UNRWA, thousands of Palestinians would be left without food, healthcare, education, and shelter.
The United States and Israeli governments must reconsider their decisions to cut funding to UNRWA and dismantle the agency. These actions will only compound the suffering of the people of Gaza and make it more difficult to achieve peace in the region.
Background
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) was established in 1949 to provide assistance to Palestinian refugees who were displaced from their homes during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. The agency provides a range of services, including food aid, healthcare, education, and shelter, to over 5 million Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and Gaza.
The United States has been the largest donor to UNRWA, providing over $300 million in funding in 2018. However, the Trump administration has repeatedly threatened to cut funding to the agency, accusing it of bias against Israel. In August 2018, the administration announced that it would withhold $65 million in funding for UNRWA.
The Israeli government has also been critical of UNRWA, accusing it of perpetuating the refugee problem. In July 2019, the Israeli government announced that it would dismantle UNRWA and transfer its responsibilities to other organizations.
Impact of the Cuts
The dismantling of UNRWA would have a devastating impact on the people of Gaza. The agency provides essential services that are not available from other sources. Without UNRWA, thousands of Palestinians would be left without food, healthcare, education, and shelter.
The cuts to UNRWA funding have already had a significant impact on the people of Gaza. In 2018, the agency was forced to reduce its food aid program, leaving thousands of families without enough to eat. The cuts have also led to a decrease in the quality of healthcare and education services provided by UNRWA.
Call to Action
The United States and Israeli governments must reconsider their decisions to cut funding to UNRWA and dismantle the agency. These actions will only compound the suffering of the people of Gaza and make it more difficult to achieve peace in the region.
We urge the United States and Israel to:
- Reinstate funding to UNRWA
- Support the agency’s efforts to provide assistance to Palestinian refugees
- Work with the Palestinian Authority and other international partners to find a just and lasting solution to the refugee problem
Aid restrictions and dismantling UNRWA will compound Gazans’ suffering
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