The future role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Gaza remains unclear, according to Tamara Alrifai, Director of External Relations and Communications at the agency. Her comments come on the heels of the renewal of UNRWA’s mandate for another three years.
Speaking on Saturday, Alrifai highlighted that while UNRWA continues to provide crucial humanitarian and educational services in Gaza, the agency has been excluded from discussions led by the United States regarding the second phase of the ceasefire agreements. This exclusion raises significant questions about the international community’s plans for the region post-conflict.
Alrifai emphasized UNRWA’s vital role in Gaza, characterizing it as essentially the ‘public sector’ within the territory. She argued that replicating UNRWA’s extensive network, which includes 12,000 service employees, would be a near impossible task for the international community.
During the Doha Forum in Qatar, Alrifai questioned which agency could effectively replace UNRWA should it be dissolved. She also drew attention to the ongoing financial crisis facing UNRWA, a crisis exacerbated by the United States’ decision to halt funding at the beginning of last year. The US was previously UNRWA’s largest donor.
The uncertainty surrounding UNRWA’s future and its financial stability poses a significant challenge to the provision of essential services for Palestinian refugees in Gaza and underscores the need for clear and sustainable solutions to address their humanitarian needs. The agency’s continued operation is critical for stability in the region.
