UK to Resume Funding UNRWA, Reaffirming Commitment to Humanitarian Aid in Gaza

The UK has announced the resumption of funding to UNRWA, the UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees, marking a positive step towards addressing the urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza. This decision follows the suspension of donations in January after Israel alleged that 12 UNRWA staff were involved in the October 2023 Hamas attacks.

Countries such as Japan, Sweden, Finland, and Canada have already reinstated their funding, with the UK now joining them. However, the agency’s largest donor, the United States, has yet to resume its contributions.

Speaking in the Commons, Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized that “no other agency” could provide aid on the scale needed to alleviate the “desperate” humanitarian situation in Gaza. He acknowledged the vital role of UNRWA, which currently feeds over half of Gaza’s population and is essential for future reconstruction efforts.

Mr. Lammy noted that he had received assurances about UNRWA’s neutrality following a thorough review of alleged links between its staff and terror groups. An internal UN investigation into the specific allegations is ongoing, but a separate UN review published in April found no evidence to support claims that large numbers of UNRWA staff were members of terror groups.

Expressing his dismay at the allegations, Mr. Lammy stated that the UN had taken the claims seriously and had implemented measures to ensure the highest standards of neutrality within the agency. This includes strengthening vetting procedures as recommended by the April review.

The UK’s renewed £21m annual funding will support these management reforms, reaffirming the UK’s commitment to humanitarian aid and stability in the region. This decision highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing the pressing needs of Palestinian refugees and contributing to the broader goal of peace and development in Gaza.