UN warns millions at risk as UNRWA faces $100m funding gap

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on countries to help close a $100m funding gap facing the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA. He warned that the shortfall, combined with sweeping restrictions on the agency's work, is putting millions of Palestinians at risk across the occupied Palestinian territory and the wider region. The appeal was made at a donor conference on Tuesday.

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Guterres said UNRWA's situation had become increasingly precarious because of the funding gap and restrictions imposed by Israel on its operations throughout the occupied Palestinian territory. He said the safety and welfare of millions of Palestine refugees was hanging in the balance. He also said further cuts could push conditions beyond breaking point.

The secretary-general pointed to the "utterly appalling" living conditions in Gaza, violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, and Israeli attacks on Lebanon, where many Palestinian refugees have sought shelter. UNRWA works in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, as well as Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. It provides aid, schooling, healthcare, social services and shelter to about 2.6 million Palestinian refugees.

The funding appeal comes at a time when humanitarian needs remain high and the agency says it has already been forced to scale back operations because of insufficient funding. UNRWA was created by the UN General Assembly in 1949 to assist Palestinians forced from their homes at the founding of Israel. Its mandate was renewed by the General Assembly six months ago with overwhelming member support, underlining the continuing political importance of the agency.

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The shortfall also reflects a wider dispute over UNRWA's role and credibility. The United States, once its biggest donor, cut funding in January 2024 after Israel alleged that a small number of UNRWA staff took part in the 7 October 2023 attack by Hamas on southern Israel. A UN internal investigation found that nine employees may have been involved, while it found no evidence or insufficient evidence against the other 10 staff members examined.

Guterres said the agency had been the target of disinformation and smear campaigns, while insisting that its work remained essential. What remains unclear is whether donors will move quickly enough to fill the gap and whether the restrictions on UNRWA's operations will ease. The immediate question is whether the agency can continue delivering services at current levels across Gaza, the West Bank and neighbouring countries.

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