UN Chief pleads for aid agency to resume—vows to bring to book Staff involved in Hamas attack after investigation | UNRWA Funding. Image via Aljazeera
UNRWA has officially, following the allegations over its staff involvement in the October 7 Hamas attack, opened an investigation into several employees, cutting ties with them
This move was prompted as nine countries, including the United States and the UK, suspended funding for the humanitarian aid agency for the Palestinian people.
The Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, has said that he will bring any UN member found in association with the Israel invasion on October 7 to book.
However, given the situation of the people in Gaza strip, top officials insist on the continuation of Humanitarian support for the Palestinian while investigations can go on.
A reliable source said that the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres had also implored UN member state governments to maintain the support for the UN refugee agency for the Palestinians after the suspension of funding by the nine countries.
Antonio said in a statement, “Any UN employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.”
“The Secretariat is ready to cooperate with a competent authority able to prosecute the individuals in line with the Secretariat’s normal procedures for such cooperation.
“The tens of thousands of men and women who work for UNRWA, many in some of the most dangerous situations for humanitarian workers, should not be penalised. The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met.”
Speaking, in his own words, Mr Antonio the UN Chief said he was shocked by the allegations, and appealed to governments who have suspended funding for the UNRWA to resume their support.
“While I understand their concerns – I was myself horrified by these accusations – I strongly appeal to the governments that have suspended their contributions to, at least, guarantee the continuity of UNRWA’s operations,” said Mr Guterres.
“These decisions threaten our ongoing humanitarian work across the region including and especially in the Gaza Strip,” Mr Lazzarini said.
“UNRWA is the primary humanitarian agency in Gaza, with over two million people depending on it for their sheer survival.
“Some 3,000 core staff out of 13,000 in Gaza continue to report to work, giving their communities a lifeline which can collapse anytime now due to lack of funding.”
UN Chief pleads for aid agency to resume—vows to bring to book Staff involved in Hamas attack after investigation | UNRWA.
