UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday called for robust political and financial backing for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
“I appeal to you today to provide the funding and the political support UNRWA needs to help build peace and stability,” Guterres said at a ministerial meeting supporting the agency.
He noted that generations of Palestinian refugees have relied on UNRWA for education, healthcare and essential services. Before October 2023, the agency provided schooling to half a million children across the region.
Today, UNRWA delivers emergency food and cash assistance to 2.6 million people, and operates primary care clinics that handle over 10.5 million visits annually, Guterres said.
UNRWA’s Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, warned that without a significant influx of funding, vital services for millions of Palestinian refugees could be jeopardized before year’s end.
“History will forever ask our predecessors why they failed to prevent the genocides perpetrated under their watch,” Lazzarini said, urging UN member states to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
