Sweden and Canada Resume Aid Payments to UNRWA Amidst Investigation into Staff Involvement in Gaza Attack
Sweden and Canada have announced that they will resume aid payments to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), following a temporary pause in funding. This decision comes amidst an ongoing investigation into the involvement of UNRWA staff in the Gaza attack that occurred on October 7th, which was carried out by Hamas. Israel had accused at least 12 UNRWA staff members of being involved in the attack, leading to the suspension of funds by several countries.
Sweden has pledged to send 200 million kronor (£15m; $19m) initially, out of a total allocation of 400 million kronor for the year 2024. This decision was made after UNRWA agreed to implement additional checks on its spending and staff. Canada, on the other hand, announced on Friday that it would resume funding for UNRWA while investigations into the agency’s staff continue.
The attack on October 7th saw Hamas gunmen storm across Gaza’s border into Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the taking of over 250 hostages. In response, Israel launched a campaign of air strikes and a ground invasion of the territory. Since then, more than 30,900 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry. The amount of aid reaching civilians has significantly decreased, leading to a dire humanitarian crisis. The UN has warned that a quarter of Gaza’s population is on the brink of famine, with children starving to death.
UNRWA is the largest UN agency operating in Gaza, providing essential healthcare, education, and other humanitarian aid. It employs around 13,000 people in the region. Philippe Lazzarini, the chief of UNRWA, expressed cautious optimism that donors would resume funding within weeks. He emphasized the critical role of UNRWA in addressing the unprecedented humanitarian crisis faced by Palestinians in Gaza.
The European Commission has also pledged to release 50 million euros in funding for UNRWA, and Sweden is the fourth largest contributor to the agency’s budget, with Canada ranking as the 11th largest contributor based on 2022 data. Canada’s Minister of International Development, Ahmed Hussen, stated that the decision to resume funding was made in recognition of the ongoing investigative process and to address the urgent needs of Palestinian civilians. Additionally, the Canadian Armed Forces will donate approximately 300 cargo parachutes to Jordan, which will be used to airdrop supplies into Gaza.
In an effort to provide aid to Gaza, the EU, UK, US, and other countries have announced plans to open a sea route that would allow for the delivery of humanitarian assistance. This sea route is expected to begin operating in the near future.
Meanwhile, an internal draft document compiled by UNRWA and seen by the BBC has revealed widespread abuse of Palestinians, including UNRWA employees who were released into Gaza from Israeli detention. Former detainees described various forms of ill-treatment they experienced. The document also highlighted allegations that Israeli authorities had coerced UNRWA staff members into making false statements against the agency, including claims of affiliations with Hamas and involvement in the October 7th attack. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) rejected these specific allegations, stating that mistreatment of detainees violates IDF values and is strictly prohibited.
As investigations into the involvement of UNRWA staff in the Gaza attack continue, the resumption of aid payments from Sweden and Canada provides a glimmer of hope for Palestinians in Gaza who are facing a dire humanitarian crisis. The support from these countries, along with other donors, is crucial in ensuring that UNRWA can continue its vital work in providing essential aid and assistance to those in need.