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UNRWA Report – Detention and alleged ill-treatment of detainees from Gaza:
This report is based on information obtained as a result of UNRWA’s role coordinating humanitarian aid at the Kerem Shalom crossing point between Gaza and Israel, where Israel Security Forces (ISF) have been regularly releasing detainees since early November 2023 and from information provided to UNRWA independently and voluntarily by Palestinians released from detention, including men, women, children and staff members.
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UNRWA Report – Armed Conflict Incidents Impacting UNRWA Facilities and Displaced Persons Seeking Shelter:
Since the start of the war, people forced to flee their homes across the Gaza Strip have sought safety and protection under the UN flag, primarily in UNRWA premises. These buildings, the coordinates of which are shared with parties to the conflict on a regular basis, and are clearly marked as UN premises, have been impacted by armed conflict incidents resulting in extensive damage, disruption to services and civilian fatalities at an unprecedented scale.
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UNRWA Commissioner General brief UN Security Council:
UNRWA Commissioner-General briefed yesterday the UN Security Council on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the unprecedented challenges the Agency is facing: “In Gaza, the Agency is the backbone of the humanitarian operation, coordinating and providing lifesaving assistance. Beyond Gaza, it has championed human development for Palestine Refugees for decades across the region. Today, an insidious campaign to end UNRWA’s operations is underway, with serious implications for international peace and security.” Here the full statement.
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Famine in Gaza imminent:
The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report stated that famine is imminent as 1.1. million people experience catastrophic food insecurity, while the entire population of Gaza – some 2.3 million people – is enduring high levels of “acute” food insecurity. The report stated that famine can be halted by restoring humanitarian access to the entire Strip through the delivery of health, food, nutrition and WASH services.
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Humanitarian access:
Scaling up assistance in Gaza remains a challenge in the face of continued access denials, delays and other impediments. OCHA’s latest humanitarian needs and response update highlights the challenges faced in the delivery of health, nutrition, food security and wash services especially with regards to reaching northern Gaza. See latest UNRWA situational report.
OCHA released its Humanitarian Access Snapshot for March 2024. There has been no significant change in the volume of humanitarian supplies entering Gaza or improved access to the north. Since the beginning of April, an average of 181 aid trucks have crossed into Gaza per day via the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) and Rafah land crossings (well below the operational capacity of both border crossings and the target of 500 trucks per day). In March 2024, a total of 420 trucks food trucks were denied or impeded by Israeli authorities. Following reports of imminent famine, 40.5 % of all food missions have been denied in February and March.
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Restriction imposed on UNRWA operations:
Israel announced on March 24 that it would no longer approve aid shipments into northern Gaza by UNRWA. The Agency’s Commissioner-General defined the move as “outrageous and makes it intentional to obstruct lifesaving assistance during a man made famine”. UNRWA is the largest organisation with the highest reach to displaced communities in Gaza.
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UNRWA funding situation:
The Government of Japan, Finland, Australia, Canada, Iceland and Sweden took the decision of resuming funding to UNRWA. Germany announced the disbursement of € 45 million in new contributions to the Agency’s work in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the West Bank. UNRWA is grateful to Belgium, Iraq, Ireland, Portugal, Qatar, Spain, Saudi Arabia and others who have stepped up and pledged additional support to the Agency at this time of existential crisis, supporting either UNRWA core operations or the emergency response in Gaza.
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EU support:
The decision of the Commission to release in March a first disbursement of € 50 million to UNRWA’s Programme Budget came at a critical time. The full disbursement of the EU contribution remains key to the agency’s ability to maintain its operations in Gaza and the region. The remaining amount will be released in line with the implementation of an agreement signed with the Commission, which refers to measures aimed at strengthening the Agency’s oversight mechanisms and its longstanding adherence to neutrality principles.
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EUCO Conclusions:
EU leaders adopted conclusions on the Middle East, stressing that the services UNRWA provides in Gaza and across the region are essential. It also welcomed “the swift launch by the UN of an internal investigation and external review following the serious allegations against 12 UNRWA staff”, and “looks forward to the results of the investigation and further decisive action by the UN to ensure accountability and strengthen control and oversight”.
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European Parliament:
During the last plenaries, the Parliament has adopted several resolutions (on the budget guidelines for the 2025 EU budget, on the situation in Gaza, and on the discharge) underscoring the important role played by UNRWA.
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Humanitarian Flash Appeal:
The Flash Appeal published this week calls for US$2.8 billion for UN Agencies, INGO, and NGO partners to address the most urgent needs of more than three million people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The Appeal covers a 9-month period from April through December 2024. Two thirds of the population of Gaza, 1.6 million people, are Palestine refugees registered with UNRWA. In times of emergency, the Agency’s support is extended to the broader population. Therefore, the Agency has more than 13,000 staff in Gaza, over 3,500 of whom are engaged in the emergency response. In the West Bank, UNRWA serves 1.1 million Palestine refugees and other registered persons, of whom 890,000 are refugees.
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France 24 documentary: “30 days to save UNRWA”:
From Jerusalem to New York, via Cairo, Amman, Ramallah and Bern, France 24 reporters followed UNRWA Commissioner General Lazzarini during weeks of intense diplomatic engagement.