New York:The UNRWA is currently grappling with a severe financial crisis, with a reported cashflow deficit of US$100 million, according to Christian Saunders, the Commissioner-General ad interim of the Agency. Saunders highlighted these concerns during the Ministerial Meeting on the Margins of the 81st UN General Assembly.
According to Palestine news & Information Agency, Saunders emphasized the challenging circumstances in the Middle East, particularly for Palestine refugees, as their hardships increase with diminishing hope for the future. Although a recent ceasefire in Gaza has provided temporary relief, millions continue to live in precarious conditions.
Saunders pointed out that the approaching winter poses additional challenges, as the Agency's humanitarian partners warn of significant gaps in response due to severe funding shortages and ongoing restrictions on the entry of critical supplies. He illustrated the dire situation by noting that 94 percent of people lack proper shelter, 90 percent frequently face disrupted access to clean water, and 98 percent live near environmental hazards.
Despite these challenges, UNRWA continues to operate with more than 10,000 personnel on the ground, providing essential services to 1.7 million people. The Agency manages over 80 emergency shelters, facilitates education for hundreds of thousands of children, and delivers approximately 70,000 medical consultations each week.
Saunders also addressed the alarming situation in the occupied West Bank, where displacement levels are at their highest since 1967, and unchecked settler violence creates intolerable living conditions. In occupied East Jerusalem, he noted the Israeli authorities' measures to curb UNRWA's operations, including the seizure of the Agency's headquarters and other facilities.
Beyond the occupied Palestinian Territory, UNRWA plays a crucial stabilizing role in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. However, the financial crisis has necessitated austerity measures, including a 20 percent reduction in service-delivery hours and corresponding salary cuts for local staff.
On maintaining neutrality, Saunders reported that UNRWA has implemented over 80 percent of the recommendations from an Independent Review on neutrality, with ongoing efforts to complete the remaining recommendations. He reiterated the Agency's commitment to maintaining the integrity and neutrality of its workforce.
Saunders called for financial support and operational space within the Occupied Palestinian Territory to enable UNRWA to fulfill its mandate effectively and to modernize its services to better serve Palestine refugees.