UN Chief Urges World Leaders to Support UNRWA
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is calling on world leaders to increase their support for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA). The agency provides essential services to nearly 6 million people, and Guterres emphasized the critical role it plays in the region.
At a high-level meeting co-organized by Jordan and Sweden in support of UNRWA, held on the margins of the UN General Assembly meetings in New York, Guterres painted a stark picture of the situation in the Gaza Strip. He described it as “beyond imagination” and emphasized that the people of Gaza are living in a hellish reality that only seems to worsen each day.
Guterres stressed that there is no alternative to UNRWA and called on all UN member states to intensify their support for the agency’s vital mission. Despite acknowledging that UNRWA is not a sustainable long-term solution to the plight of Palestinian refugees, he emphasized the immediate need for humanitarian aid in the region.
Challenges Faced by UNRWA
Guterres highlighted the immense challenges faced by UNRWA on both operational and political levels. He mentioned the tragic loss of 222 UNRWA colleagues, many of whom were killed in the line of duty, marking the highest death toll in UN history. Despite these challenges, Guterres commended UNRWA for persevering in the face of catastrophic conditions.
The UN chief also addressed the efforts by certain parties to discredit UNRWA’s life-saving work, including Israel’s decision to classify the agency as a terror organization. Guterres expressed full confidence in UNRWA’s commitment to upholding humanitarian principles and implementing necessary reforms, such as those recommended by the Independent Review conducted by Catherine Colonna.
Outlook for UNRWA and the Region
Guterres expressed hope for the future, citing the reversal of funding suspensions by virtually all donors as a sign of confidence in UNRWA’s vital role across the West Bank and the region. He emphasized the agency’s commitment to neutrality, impartiality, and humanity in delivering aid to those in need.
In conclusion, Guterres urged world leaders to step up their support for UNRWA and work towards a two-state political solution between Palestine and Israel with Jerusalem as the capital of both states. He emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in Gaza and called for a concerted effort to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people. As the international community rallies behind UNRWA, there is hope for a brighter future for the region and its inhabitants.