UNRWA Crisis: Threat to Palestinian Refugee Status and Education
Credit : The Wire News
18.04.2024 : The potential closure of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) poses a significant threat to the refugee status of millions of Palestinians, according to agency chief Philippe Lazzarini. Addressing the Security Council recently, Lazzarini highlighted the dire consequences such a move would have, including exacerbating famine in Gaza and hindering post-ceasefire recovery efforts.
Lazzarini emphasized the long-term impact, particularly on education, stating that it would hinder efforts to reintegrate half a million distressed children into learning environments. This, he warned, could lead to a cycle of despair, resentment, and violence.
The Security Council convened at Jordan’s request in response to persistent efforts by Israeli authorities to oust UNRWA from Gaza and dismantle it entirely. The meeting began with a minute of silence to honor the 178 UNRWA employees killed during the Gaza conflict.
The agency has faced significant challenges, with over 163 of its installations in Gaza damaged during the conflict, including a reduction in operational healthcare facilities from 24 to just nine. Additionally, financial strains, exacerbated by donor nations suspending funding, have threatened UNRWA’s ability to continue vital operations.
Lazzarini attributed the calls for UNRWA’s closure not to humanitarian concerns but rather as an attempt to alter the political landscape and refugee status of Palestinians. He refuted claims that UNRWA perpetuates refugee status deliberately, emphasizing its role in providing essential services in the absence of a political resolution.
Meanwhile, international voices at the Security Council, including Russia’s representative, called for urgent action, including possible sanctions on Israel for failing to implement ceasefire resolutions effectively. The United States reiterated UNRWA’s critical role in supporting Palestinian refugees and emphasized the need for uninterrupted support.
The situation underscores the complex geopolitical challenges and humanitarian crises faced in the region, with UNRWA’s future hanging in the balance amid escalating tensions and ongoing conflicts.