The accusations that 12 employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees UNRWA (The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees) were involved in the Hamas terrorist attack against Israel on October 7 are serious. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs demands an independent and thorough investigation into the matter.
UNRWA is a humanitarian organization within the United Nations tasked with providing basic services for Palestinian refugees, including education, health care and social services. UNRWA employs approximately 28,000 Palestinians.
Finland has a four-year humanitarian aid agreement with UNRWA for 2023–2026, which amounts to five million euros per year. Minister for Foreign Trade and Development City Tavio has decided to suspend Finland’s payments to UNRWA due to the allegations.
– Finland’s money must not go to Hamas or other terrorists, not a single euro. The suspicion that the aid recipient’s employees were involved in the terrorist attack leads to the aid being suspended. The case must be thoroughly investigated, states Minister Tavio.
More information: Lauratuulia Lehtinenhead of unit, unit for humanitarian aid and humanitarian aid policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 46 921 2030
