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Rabat – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres underlined on Friday the essential role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in supporting Palestinians in the wake of the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza.
Emphasizing UNRWA’s critical contributions, Guterres warned that there is no alternative to the agency’s efforts in providing hope and stability to millions of Palestine refugees.
He highlighted the dire circumstances facing Palestinian civilians in Gaza, describing them as being “forced to move like human pinballs across a landscape of destruction and death.”
The continued support for UNRWA is vital for maintaining stability and preventing further hopelessness, which he identified as a significant threat to regional stability, he stressed.
Established to support Palestine refugees, UNRWA administers essential services such as education, health, and social services to around 5.9 million refugees.
The agency also manages 58 refugee camps with the aim of addressing the humanitarian needs of over 1.6 million people across Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Guterres called for immediate and increased support for UNRWA, warning that the agency will collapse without sufficient funding, leaving millions of Palestine refugees without essential services.
He reiterated the need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and the unconditional release of all hostages. A political solution, envisioning two states living in peace and security with Jerusalem as “the capital of both,” is crucial to resolving the catastrophe, Guterres said.
General Assembly President Dennis Francis echoed this appeal, urging stakeholders to turn their pledges into tangible support to ensure the survival of Palestine refugees, particularly children, who are disproportionately affected by the war.
Meanwhile, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini emphasized the agency’s indispensable role in Gaza’s humanitarian response, condemning attacks on its personnel and facilities.
