UNRWA: Lack of funding threatens basic services for millions of Palestinian refugees in the region

Mr. Lazzarini was speaking on Thursday in front of… Fourth Committee of the General Assembly, on Special Political Questions and Decolonization, where he said that two years of brutal war in Gaza had caused “Human losses, needs and huge psychological trauma.”

He said that UNRWA staff had endured bombing, displacement and siege, while grieving the deaths of “countless loved ones and more than 380 colleagues.” He added: “They are completely exhausted, but they never stop working, and their determination is essential to Gaza’s survival.”

Mr. Lazzarini said UNRWA It continues to provide 40% of all primary health care services in Gaza, and hundreds of thousands benefit from the Agency’s public health work. The agency also provides in-person educational courses to more than 40,000 children, and supports nearly 300,000 others through online learning platforms.

He stressed that the viability of political plans for Gaza depends on successful stabilization and recovery, which in turn requires a rapid increase in humanitarian aid and the restoration of basic public services. He added: “UNRWA’s ability to deliver services is unparalleled thanks to its workforce of 12,000 and its deep reserves of community trust. However, political attacks and an unstable financial situation continue to undermine our operations.”

The Commissioner General pointed out that ‘A fierce disinformation campaign’ It has tarnished the agency’s reputation and stifled the funding needed to fulfill its vital role. Steady implementation of austerity and cost control measures, amounting to $150 million in 2025, and strict cash flow management have ensured that almost all employees have been paid so far, he said. However, he said: “It may not be possible to maintain UNRWA operations at the current scale and quality,” The agency faces a deficit of two hundred million dollars until the end of the first quarter of 2026, and its expected income does not absorb this large deficit.

Mr. Lazzarini noted that UNRWA’s work in the occupied Palestinian territory, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan is vital for millions of Palestinians, noting that the agency has served as an engine for human development in the region for decades. He said that its contribution would be crucial to implementing the New York Declaration regarding the settlement of the Palestine issue and US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza.

Mr. Lazzarini called on Member States to take concrete steps to define the role of UNRWA “Within a time-bound political process,” The provision of basic services will be fully funded until this process is completed. And he said: “The Agency’s support is an investment in the future political path, and a true solidarity with all those committed to lasting peace.”

UNRWA continues to operate effectively

Following the briefing he gave to Mr Fourth Committee To the General Assembly, today, Thursday, Mr. Lazzarini spoke to reporters in New York, where he addressed the misleading information promoted that UNRWA is no longer working in the occupied Palestinian territory. He said that despite the many restrictions the agency faces as a result of the two legislation passed by the Israeli Knesset, UNRWA remains “Works effectively” In the West Bank, especially in the areas of health care and education.

While the agency was not allowed to bring its supplies stuck in Egypt and Jordan into Gaza, Mr. Lazzarini stressed that the relief operation “It is not limited to food distribution,” Pointing to the many services provided by the agency’s 12,000 dedicated employees.

He touched on the recent vaccination campaign as a good example of inter-agency cooperation in responding to the Gaza crisis, with UNICEF providing vaccines and the World Health Organization responsible for the cold chain. “As for the nurses and staff who provide vaccines to children, they are all from UNRWA.”

In response to a question about accountability, the Commissioner-General said it was clear that ‘The UN has been blatantly ignored’ Over the past two years, as evidenced by the number of employees killed and the number of facilities destroyed “Damaged, completely destroyed, or used for military purposes.”

More broadly, Lazzarini said that lasting peace cannot be achieved without full justice and recovery, and stressed the need to find ways “To acknowledge the scope of the atrocities committed.”