UNRWA: A Lifeline for Palestinian Refugees

For decades, UNRWA has provided essential services to Palestinian refugees, including food, healthcare, education, and shelter. It operates in Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan, supporting millions of individuals displaced by conflict.

In Gaza, UNRWA is the backbone of all aid delivery, offering lifelines to communities struggling with the aftermath of repeated conflicts and systemic deprivation. Its work is not only humanitarian but vital for maintaining regional stability.

The U.S. Funding Freeze: A Humanitarian and Strategic Mistake

In January of 2024, the Biden administration paused all US funding to UNRWA following Israeli allegations that a small number of UNRWA staff took part in Hamas’ horrific Oct. 7 attacks. This decision has left Gaza’s population without critical aid, worsening the humanitarian crisis. Hospitals are overwhelmed, and food, water, and medicine are scarce. The U.N. has warned of a looming public health disaster, including the spread of diseases like polio. 

While UNRWA immediately acted on these allegations, including firing implicated staff and strengthening oversight mechanisms, no substantive evidence has been provided to justify these sweeping funding cuts. UN Secretary-General António Guterres ordered an investigation, and UNRWA has implemented recommendations to bolster accountability and neutrality.

Despite these steps, and an ever-worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the U.S. remains the only major donor to withhold funding. Allies like the United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany have resumed support, recognizing UNRWA’s critical role in addressing Palestinian refugees’ needs.

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Advocacy Teams Backgrounder for 2025