Chronic Deficit Sowing Despair Among Palestinians, Delegates Warn
With its mandate up for renewal by the General Assembly, and demands for its services growing, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) urgently requires a substantial capital injection to lift it out of a chronic budget deficit, its head told the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) today.
Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, presenting its annual report (document A/77/13), said that for far too long, the Agency has been expected to manage chronic underfunding while at the same time delivering on its mandate. Emphasizing that UNRWA, which relies on voluntary contributions, is short by about $100 million every year, he appealed for more funds so that it can implement its digital strategy, deliver on environmental sustainability commitments and replace obsolete basic assets while also promoting the rights and well-being of Palestine refugees.
“The size, scale and scope of our operation deserves an additional $100 million per year,” he said, emphasizing that the amount must be “a game-changer”. “If anything, $100 million is very little in return for the protection of rights and contribution to regional stability that the Agency brings through its presence and operations.”
During an interactive dialogue, he said that he was unsure whether the Agency, whose protection mandate covers 5.8 million registered Palestine refugees, can pay staff salaries in full in November and December. “When we talk about salary, we talk about critical services, we talk about our ability to continue to run the schools, the health services,” he said.
Anne Havn (Norway), speaking in her capacity as Rapporteur of the Working Group on the Financing of UNRWA, presented that body’s report (document A/77/314). She emphasized that it is the responsibility of the Assembly and the international community to ensure that the Agency’s services are maintained at an acceptable level. She expressed support for UNRWA’s fundraising efforts and urged all Governments to increase and sustain their voluntary contributions.
During the ensuing general debate, speakers took turns voicing support for UNRWA and calling for its three-year mandate to be renewed. They suggested ways to put the Agency on a better financial footing, including drawing from the United Nations’ regular budget. They also took the opportunity to reiterate support for the two-State solution to resolve the question of Palestine.
Palestine’s observer warned that any further reduction of UNRWA’s programmes will heighten a sense of despair among Palestine refugees and fears that the world is turning its back on them. The Agency’s chronic underfunding, the consequent stresses on its staff and the refugee community, and worries of more to come are inevitably stoking fear, she said, adding that securing more predictable, sufficient and sustained funding is crucial.
Azerbaijan’s representative, speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, urged the Assembly to follow up on the Secretary-General’s recommendations to ensure more sufficient, predictable and sustained funding and for UNRWA’s mandate to be extended until 30 June 2026. UNRWA will remain essential and indispensable until a just and lasting solution to the question of Palestine, including the plight of Palestine refugees, is found.
Saudi Arabia’s representative, speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, rejected and condemned Israel’s attempts to obstruct and close UNRWA services in Jerusalem and to replace the Agency with Israeli entities, especially with regard to education. He too called on all countries and donors to provide more financial support to UNRWA to enable it to perform its humanitarian mission and fulfil the mandate given to it by the Assembly.
Israel’s representative, however, said that UNRWA’s budget crisis is a “crisis that cannot be solved” as long as its problematic practices and distorted definition of refugees continue. She urged the United Nations to address the use of UNRWA’s infrastructure by Hamas to carry out acts of terror. Israeli is a partner for peace, she said, emphasizing the need to abandon a narrative of conflict, incitement and terror and focus instead on tolerance and dialogue.
The United States’ representative warned of terrible looming consequences from rising humanitarian needs compounded by ongoing austerity measures. He encouraged all donors, especially those who have not yet given and those who have reduced their contributions, to support the agency’s core services. Donors must provide more flexible and sustained voluntary funding to UNRWA to alleviate its financial challenges, he said.
In other business, the Committee today concluded its general debate on peacekeeping operations in all their aspects, which began on 1 November.
Also speaking during the general debate on UNRWA were representatives of Mexico, Egypt, Iraq, Viet Nam, South Africa, Colombia, Cuba, Saudi Arabia (on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council and in its national capacity), Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Senegal, Syria, Pakistan, Qatar, Tunisia, Lebanon, Thailand, Namibia, Bangladesh, Yemen, Algeria, Romania, Kuwait, Indonesia, India, China, Japan, Morocco, Malaysia, Türkiye, Norway and Sudan, as well as the European Union in its capacity of observer.
The Permanent Observer of the Holy See also spoke, as did the Permanent Observer of the League of Arab States.
The representative of Israel and the observer of Palestine spoke in exercise of the right of reply.
Speaking during the general debate on peacekeeping were the representatives of Gambia, Ghana, Bahamas (on behalf of the Caribbean Community), India and Sri Lanka.
The Permanent Observer of the Holy See also spoke, as did representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Organization of the Francophonie.
The Fourth Committee will reconvene at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, 9 November, to take up its agenda item on Israeli practices and settlement activities affecting the rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the territories.
Source: UN General Assembly