UNRWA’s humanitarian work faces staff losses, facility destruction and a $100 million funding gap

UNRWA is working under what the UN Secretary‑General described as extraordinary pressure. In Gaza, nearly 400 agency staff members have been killed, and hundreds of UNRWA premises across the Occupied Palestinian Territory have become inaccessible, severely damaged, or completely destroyed. A law passed by the Israeli Knesset two years ago bars the agency from operating on Israeli‑controlled land, leading to exclusion from coordination meetings, denial of staff visas and intimidation of personnel. The seizure and demolition of UNRWA’s main compound in East Jerusalem in January further restricts its ability to deliver services.

Despite these constraints, UNRWA continues to provide essential public services to Palestinian refugees. More than 10,000 agency personnel are assisting roughly 1.7 million people in Gaza, including about 70,000 medical consultations each week. Yet 94 percent of the population lack adequate shelter and 98 percent of households live near environmental hazards such as raw sewage and rubble. Displacement in the West Bank has risen to levels not seen since 1967, underscoring the broader humanitarian strain as winter approaches.

UNRWA reports a cash shortfall of around $100 million, a gap that threatens the continuity of its programmes for millions of refugees. Spain has contributed more than €85 million over the past three years, while other donor governments have been urged to provide immediate funding to prevent further deterioration. The Secretary‑General warned that the agency’s mandate, established by the General Assembly, is at risk and that regional stability depends on preserving UNRWA’s stabilising presence across the occupied territories.