UNRWA

UNRWA has food, shelter, medical and other essential supplies outside of #Gaza - enough to reach hundreds of thousands of people facing the harsh winter. This aid has been blocked by Israeli Authorities since March. Refusing to let it in is a choice – one that deprives people inside Gaza of the means to survive and recover. UNRWA's 12,000 team members are working tirelessly inside Gaza. But letting the blocked aid in would enable them to multiply their operations massively.

“The efforts to dismantle UNRWA and end its operations are intended to strip Palestinians of their refugee status. This sets a dangerous precedent,” @Philippe Lazzarini at the #RefugeeForum. Undermining the Agency threatens refugees, humanitarian workers and the multilateral system. Effective and lasting solutions can only be found through strong and principled political action, backed by robust financial support. #UNRWAworks

I welcome the unambiguous ruling by the International Court of Justice today stating that: - Israel is under an obligation to agree to & facilitate relief schemes provided by the United Nations & its entities, in particular UNRWA. ⁠- Israel’s claim that UNRWA is infiltrated by Hamas was not substantiated, nor were allegations that UNRWA is not a neutral organisation. ⁠- There must be accountability for the killing of UNRWA staff members, for the severe mistreatment of humanitarian staff in detention & for the destruction, damage + misuse of UNRWA facilities. ⁠- UNRWA is the key humanitarian actor with a “unique & sustained connection” to the occupied Palestinian territories, whose operations must be facilitated rather than obstructed — particularly given the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza. ⁠- Providing every assistance to UNRWA’s mandated operations & activities in good faith is part of Israel’s legal obligations as a UN Member State. With huge amounts of food & other life-saving supplies on standby in Egypt & Jordan, UNRWA has the resources & expertise to immediately scale up the humanitarian response in Gaza & help alleviate the suffering of the civilian population. – @Philippe Lazzarini

Temperatures in #Gaza are soaring above 40°C, making an already desperate situation far worse. With very limited water available, dehydration is increasing. Bombardments and forced displacement continue. With limited electricity and fuel, there is no relief from the extreme

Around 300 million diapers are sold every day around the world. Not in #Gaza where diapers are largely unavailable. A consistent flow of essential supplies—including diapers, soap and wipes—is critical for children’s survival and health. This can only be done through the UN, including UNRWA.

Caregivers in #Gaza are resorting to desperate measures—cutting up old clothes or stitching plastic bags into makeshift diapers. These unsafe alternatives pose a serious risk of infection for children. Thousands of children in Gaza are in urgent need of diapers. Supplies are just a short distance away, waiting in UNRWA warehouses. Lift the siege and let aid in at scale, including hygiene items.

In #Gaza, “we have 600,000 girls and boys currently living in the rubble, and we have absolutely no other future than the trauma of the last 20 months,” says our UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini @Philippe Lazzarini to @Becky Anderson on @Connect the World UNRWA is the main #education

UNRWA remains the largest provider of emergency learning and psychosocial support in #Gaza. Recently, teenage girls took part in a session focused on self-awareness, problem-solving and positive thinking using dialogue and creative ideas. Through such activities, UNRWA continues to provide vital support. #UNRWAworks

It has been nearly seven weeks since the State of Israel banned the entry of humanitarian aid, medical and commercial supplies, food, vaccines for children and fuel into the #Gaza Strip. The siege must be lifted, crossings must re-open for a steady flow of aid, and the #ceasefire must be renewed.

⏰The clock is ticking for a possible ban on UNRWA to deliver essential services for millions of #PalestineRefugees in #Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Our @npub12yqq...f7lv tells to @npub1tnxe...r3a9 that the UN is not planning to replace UNRWA. “What needs to happen is for