Guterres: Supporting UNRWA is the Responsibility of the International Community towards Palestinian Refugees

SadaNews - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the importance of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), stating that today millions of refugees, especially in Gaza, stand at a perilous crossroads that threatens their safety and well-being. He affirmed that supporting UNRWA is the responsibility of the international community towards Palestinian refugees.

Guterres said on Tuesday, in a speech before the General Assembly's dedicated committee for announcing voluntary contributions to UNRWA, that living conditions in the Gaza Strip are extremely horrific, where residents live at the mercy of unexploded ordnance, exposed sewage, rodent infestations, the spread of diseases, extreme heat, and widespread displacement.

He pointed out the struggle of families to ensure their safety, seek shelter, and access food and clean drinking water, as well as educational and healthcare services, while many are still sleeping in the open or going to bed hungry.

Regarding the occupied West Bank, Guterres stated that Palestinians face relentless violence from settlers and colonial expansion activities, along with home demolitions, land confiscations, eviction orders, movement restrictions, and increased threats of annexation of the West Bank, which would constitute a flagrant violation of international law.

He noted that the agency now faces overwhelming constraints throughout the occupied Palestinian territories and suffers from a cash flow deficit that threatens its operations across the region. Despite painful austerity measures and cost-cutting restrictions, a deficit of 100 million US dollars prevents the agency from meeting its current commitments.

UN Secretary-General emphasized that UNRWA's mandate is "backed by the General Assembly and has been renewed for six months with overwhelming support from member states, providing vital services to 2.6 million people in need, reflecting the ongoing responsibility of the international community towards Palestinian refugees."

Guterres warned that "the cash resource deficit has serious implications for the entire region," as "UNRWA plays a strong role in achieving stability in an era characterized by instability."