Türkiye voices strong support for UNRWA amid funding concerns

Türkiye stands firmly behind UNRWA’s crucial aid to Palestinian refugees, urging continued support amid funding challenges

Türkiye’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations voiced strong support on Monday for UNRWA, the U.N. agency dedicated to Palestinian refugees.

Asli Guven said in the U.N. General Assembly, “For nearly 75 years, UNRWA has been crucial in offering aid and safeguarding for Palestine refugees. This aid is vital and irreplaceable, enabling a life of dignity and saving lives.”

“We commend the heroic efforts of UNRWA personnel, who make great sacrifices in their noble mission,” she added.

Guven highlighted that since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza on Oct. 7, more than 150 UNRWA facilities have been targeted, leading to the deaths of over 160 UNRWA staff.

“This was followed by allegations of misconduct against several individuals among UNRWA’s 30,000 employees. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) and an independent review group swiftly took action on this issue.

“However, to this day, credible evidence has yet to be presented to support these allegations,” Guven remarked, expressing concern over the suspension of funding to UNRWA by some donors, which she deemed “difficult to justify.”

Israeli authorities accused some UNRWA employees in Gaza of involvement in the cross-border attack by Hamas on Israel on Oct. 7. As a result, several countries halted funding for the agency, established in 1949 to aid Palestinian refugees across the Middle East. UNRWA stated that it terminated contracts with the employees following the allegations.

“As the platform representing the broader membership and the conscience of the international community, the General Assembly cannot abandon UNRWA, nor can it forsake the Palestine refugees.”

“Türkiye, as the chair of the working group on UNRWA financing, will continue its support for the agency’s invaluable work. We call on all parties to stand by UNRWA,” Guven concluded.

She also expressed gratitude to UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini for his efforts to fulfill the agency’s mandate under challenging circumstances.

Source: AA

#haber#