UNRWA Facing Triple Crisis in Gaza, West Bank, and Lebanon
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, is currently bracing for a triple crisis as Israeli strikes on Lebanon add to the strain it is already facing in Gaza and the West Bank. Founded in 1949, UNRWA provides essential services, including education and healthcare, for Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. With three of its areas of operation turning into active frontlines, the agency is under severe financial strain and is poised to face even more pressure.
Challenges Faced by UNRWA
- Active Frontlines: Gaza and the West Bank are already active frontlines, and now Lebanon is also facing a humanitarian emergency, creating a triple tragedy for UNRWA.
- Israeli Strikes: Mounting Israeli strikes have forced UNRWA to pause some operations in Lebanon, converting schools into shelters for displaced individuals.
- Displacement: Displacement has increased in Lebanon following Israeli attacks on Hezbollah targets, raising concerns of a full-fledged war similar to Gaza.
Impact on UNRWA
- Staff Casualties: At least 222 UNRWA staff have been killed, and two-thirds of the agency’s facilities in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed during the conflict.
- Financial Strain: The agency faces an $80 million shortfall for 2024, with funding cuts earlier in the year impacting its operations.
- Donor Support: While most donors have resumed funding, the United States, UNRWA’s largest financial supporter, has not, leading to financial challenges for the agency.
Seeking Support and Solutions
- Donor Conference: UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini is hosting a donor conference at the UN General Assembly to secure pledges and support for the agency.
- Long-Term Commitments: The main goal is to ensure operations until the end of the year and secure longer-term commitments from donors to address future financial challenges.
- Concerns for 2025: Lazzarini is worried about funding in 2025 due to potential austerity measures from traditional donors, emphasizing the need for sustained support.
Overall, UNRWA’s triple crisis in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon highlights the urgent need for international support to ensure the continuation of essential services for Palestinian refugees. Donor contributions are crucial to addressing the financial shortfall and sustaining operations in the long term, safeguarding the well-being and livelihoods of vulnerable populations in the region.