UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees is ‘Irreplaceable,’ Diplomats Say

The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) is “irreplaceable” and “indispensable” – not just for Gaza and the occupied West Bank but for the entire region.

That was the message several top diplomats stressed on Thursday at the UN General Assembly as they asked for political and financial support for the agency.

“UNRWA is a force for stability in the most unstable region of the world,” UN Secretary-General Antonio guterres said at a meeting held during the summit.

“UNRWA is vital to any chance of peace and stability in the region.I urge you to do all you can to support its work.”

The agency’s role has been closely examined since Israel’s war in Gaza began in October 2023.

As bombing and a ground invasion forced thousands of Palestinians to leave their homes, UNRWA became a main provider of aid in Gaza.

But with the United States – once UNRWA’s largest donor – stopping funding, the UN agency now faces a major financial crisis with a budget shortfall of $200m.

On Thursday, Jordanian Foreign minister Ayman safadi warned that “UNRWA is collapsing”.

“I do not have to explain why UNRWA is vital. The starving children of Gaza show that clearly,” Safadi said.

“The mothers who are watching their babies get weaker make the case for UNRWA. The 600,000 or more students in Gaza, who have not been to school for two years, make the case for UNRWA.”

The UN organisation provides healthcare, education, humanitarian aid and cash assistance to millions of Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territory and across the Middle East.

The agency was founded in 1949 to help hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees who were forced to leave their homes when Israel was created.