Posted on 23 February 2024
Ireland has pledged €20 million (NZ$35.27 million) in support of UNRWA and called on countries that have halted funding to resume and increase their support for the agency. Dublin directly contributed €18 million to UNRWA in 2023 as part of a total of €36 million provided to the Palestinian people.
UNRWA provides vital services such as healthcare and education, but it faces a crisis following Israel's allegations that 12 out of its 13,000 staff in Gaza were involved in the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel. This led the United States, its largest donor, and others such as Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Canada, Finland, and the Netherlands, to suspend funding.
General Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner, warned that the suspension of funding from countries that contribute significantly to its budget will only worsen the humanitarian crisis in the region, especially with the interruption of fuel and supplies. UNRWA plays a critical role as the primary humanitarian agency in Gaza, providing essential support to over 2 million people who rely on it for their basic survival.