Volentieri pubblichiamo il bollettino delle attività di febbraio dell’ufficio UNRWA per l’Europa
UNRWA Europa: bollettino delle attività di febbraio
28 Febbraio 2025
UNRWA Commissioner-General: “The Agency will stay and deliver its mandate until it is prevented from doing so”
On 17 February, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini attended the Fourth Meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution. This initiative, led by the EU, Saudi Arabia, and the League of Arab States, brings together states and International Organizations to advance the two-state solution agenda.
In Cairo, the Commissioner-General stressed that UNRWA’s potential collapse threatens regional and global stability: “UNRWA is a formidable asset for ensuring a viable political transition that can provide a definitive answer to the question of Palestine.”
On 15 February, UNRWA Commissioner General addressed the Munich Security Conference, highlighting that UNRWA teams continue to stay and deliver in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. He stated that, if UNRWA were to implode because of the Israeli legislation, which entered into force at the end of January, and the suspension of funding by key donors, this would “create a vacuum and potentially sow the seeds for more despair and extremism in the future.”
On the same day, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas reiterated the EU’s full support for UNRWA, stating that “the Europeans are the biggest supporters of UNRWA.”
West Bank: UNRWA Kalandia Training Centre vacated by force
The effective implementation of the Knesset bills begun in East Jerusalem. On 18 February, Israeli Forces and personnel from the Jerusalem Municipality forcefully entered the UNRWA Kalandia Training Centre and ordered its immediate evacuation. At least 350 students and 30 staff were present and impacted. Tear gas and sound bombs were fired.
The same day, Israeli police officers, accompanied by staff from the Jerusalem Municipality, went to UNRWA schools ordering their closure, impacting 250 children in three UNRWA schools in East Jerusalem. In his statement, UNRWA Commissioner-General Lazzarini said: “Children’s access to education must be preserved and United Nations facilities must be protected and respected at all times wherever they are.”
More than 40.000 Palestine Refugees remain displaced after the start of the Israeli Forces large-scale operation on 21 January 2025 – already the single longest operation in the West Bank since the second intifada in the 2000s. Following weeks of sustained violence and destruction, the conditions in the Jenin, Nur Shams and Tulkarm refugee camps are near-uninhabitable.
Following the withdrawal of Israel Forces from El F’ara Camp, most families displaced from there were able to return, and UNRWA services resumed in full. On 23 February, the Israeli Minister of Defense released a statement that he had instructed Israeli Forces to remain in Jenin, Nur Shams and Tulkarm refugee camps for the coming year, and that residents would not be permitted to return. On the same day, the Israeli Forces deployed tanks in the West Bank for the first time since the second intifada.
Ceasefire in Gaza: UNRWA teams provide services to a population overwhelmed by 15 months of war
Since the start of the ceasefire, UNRWA has delivered critical food assistance to an estimated 2 million people across the Gaza Strip. During the same reporting period, UNRWA teams have provided over 364,000 health consultations and reached more than half a million people with shelter and non-food items.
A third round of the polio vaccination campaign supported by UNRWA, WHO, UNICEF, and other partners started on 22 February 2025 in the Gaza Strip aiming to vaccinate over 591,000 children under ten years of age. With over 1,700 UNRWA team members in 555 mobile and fixed teams, UNRWA reached over 207,000 children with the vaccine and constituted around one third of the overall polio vaccination response.
Amid cold weather and lack of appropriate housing, families in Gaza are in urgent need of shelter items. Six newborns reportedly died from the extremely cold weather on 24 and 25 February.
Cooperation with the EU and European donors
The European Union reaffirms its support to UNRWA
The EU position for the 13th EU-Israel Association Council, which took place on 24 February, recognized the essential role of UNRWA, reiterated grave concern over the far-reaching consequences of the Knesset bills, and condemned any attempt to obstruct the Agency’s mandate. Ahead of the meeting, 103 Members of the European Parliament from 20 Member States and different political groups signed a letter calling on EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs to take immediate action to address the issue of the ban on UNRWA by the Israeli Knesset.
In response to parliamentary questions, the European Commission confirmed the EU’s continued political and financial support for UNRWA. The Commission also acknowledged the Agency’s vital role and confirmed that UNRWA met all conditions for the EU’s 2024 funding.
The European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee reiterated its support to the Agency in two votes, stating that “UNRWA remains the principal provider of humanitarian assistance in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as an essential service provider in the region.” The Committee also asked for the release of all EU financial commitments towards the Agency.
Denmark disburses US$ 14.4 million in core funding
Denmark consistent support to UNRWA is strengthening our vital work for Palestine Refugees. We thank Denmark for the early disbursement of US$ 14.4 million in core funding and additional US$ 1.4 million for UNRWA’s efforts on neutrality and implementation of Colonna Review recommendations.
Ireland announced EUR 20 million in support to UNRWA
Irish Tánaiste Simon Harris announced €20 million in support from Ireland for UNRWA. This for its work providing assistance to people in Gaza, the West Bank and Palestine refugees across the Middle East. He recognized UNRWA’s irreplaceable role “as the only organization with the scale to deliver and support the restoration of health, social services, and education for more than 300,000 children in Gaza.”
