UNRWA's Critical Role in Gaza Amidst Crisis
Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), has issued a stark warning regarding the potential collapse of the agency due to recent Israeli legislation. He emphasized that dismantling UNRWA would not only disrupt humanitarian efforts but also deprive an entire generation of Palestinians in Gaza of their right to education. Currently, UNRWA provides education to over 660,000 children in the region, and its absence could lead to increased marginalization and extremism among youth.
Lazzarini's remarks came during a session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he highlighted that the agency was responsible for addressing approximately 80% of primary health care needs in Gaza prior to the ongoing conflict. With the Israeli Knesset's decision to ban UNRWA from operating in Israel set to take effect in late January, the humanitarian landscape is poised for a significant deterioration. He noted that the collapse of UNRWA would also impact at least 50,000 children in the West Bank, further exacerbating the crisis.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Gaza
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has been described as catastrophic by Ajit Sungai, Director of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the occupied territories. Since the onset of conflict on October 7, 2023, international institutions have faced numerous obstacles in delivering essential aid to the region. Requests for humanitarian assistance to northern Gaza have been consistently rejected or obstructed by Israeli forces, leading to urgent needs for shelter, food, and water.
A recent report indicated that famine is looming over the northern Gaza Strip, with escalating violence and a near-total halt in food aid contributing to the dire circumstances. The Famine Review Committee has warned that the risk of famine is imminent due to the rapid deterioration of conditions in the area. As the conflict continues, the toll has been devastating, with over 146,000 Palestinians reported dead or injured, many of whom are children and women, alongside thousands reported missing.
