Pakistan on Monday expressed deep concern over the suspension of funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees in the Middle East by some countries.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office said in a statement today that the timing of the suspension is “extremely troubling as it comes amidst the ongoing fighting, displacement and suffering of the people in Gaza who depend on UNRWA for their daily survival.” Dependent on significant aid.
As the primary humanitarian agency in Gaza, UNRWA acts as a lifeline for more than two million people amid the most intense aggression, the statement added.
‘The decision to suspend funding in response to allegations against a small group of staff is unfair.
“We agree with the Secretary-General of the United Nations that UNRWA’s current funding will not be sufficient to meet all the needs of the Palestinian people in the next month, so as to maintain the survival of the people of Gaza. It is important to prioritize the continuation of UNRWA’s operations.
Pakistan urged all countries that have suspended funding to reconsider their decision so that UNRWA’s volunteer activities are not suspended.
According to the AFP news agency, several countries said they would stop funding the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees after Israel’s allegations that staff members were involved in an attack by Hamas on October 7.
Palestinian citizens stand outside an educational institution run by UNRWA in the city of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on January 29, 2024 (AFP)
UNRWA has fired several people and called for a full investigation into the claims, while Israel has called for the agency to stop working in Gaza after the war.
This section contains related reference points (Related Nodes field).
Saudi Arabia on Monday called on countries funding UNRWA to continue supporting “humanitarian missions” operating in Gaza.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that “an independent investigation of these allegations will reveal the facts with evidence, especially in light of the sacrifices of UNRWA workers, many of whom Indiscriminate Israeli bombardment of aid sites in and around Gaza resulted in deaths and injuries.
“Saudi Arabia urges all UNRWA supporters to play their part in supporting humanitarian missions for Palestinian refugees in besieged Gaza,” the statement added.
Among the countries that halted their funding for the UN body are the US, France, UK, Germany and Japan, among other major countries.
Click here to join Independent Urdu WhatsApp channel for authentic news and current affairs analysis.