Posted on 22 April 2024
Israel’s recent actions against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) have raised serious concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. UNRWA, established by the UN General Assembly in 1949, provides education, healthcare, and social services to Palestinian refugees and their descendants. However, the Israeli government has accused some of UNRWA’s staff of having ties to Islamist militant groups in Gaza, leading to funding suspensions by several countries, including the United States. With Gaza facing dire humanitarian conditions, including widespread hunger and projected famine, the attack on UNRWA could not come at a worse time for the Palestinian civilians in the region.
The situation in Gaza is alarming, with more than a quarter of the population “a step away from famine.” The UN relief coordinator has warned that “hunger in Gaza has deteriorated fast and is at catastrophic levels.” UNRWA’s role in providing assistance to the 2.2 million people in Gaza is indispensable, and no other aid organization can adequately replace it. As Israel continues its campaign against UNRWA, the international community must urgently address the humanitarian crisis and ensure that essential aid reaches those in need.
Source: Devex
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