President Michael D Higgins has called for countries to support UNRWA after some of its staff were suspected of being involved in Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7th.
The President called for funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) after a phone call with World Health Organisation Executive Director Dr Mike Ryan.
Mr Higgins said it is “vital” the relief agency continues to receive support from other countries.
“The 30,000 UNRWA staff in the region, including 13,000 in Gaza, are assisting some of the most broken people on the planet in the most devastating of circumstances,” he said.
Israel has alleged that 12 of UNRWA’s staff were involved in Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7th that killed 1,200 people and took over 200 hostages.
UNRWA has dismissed the staff members accused, but the UK, USA and several other countries have paused their funding to the agency.
Humanitarian supports
President Higgins urged countries to offer financial support to the UNRWA despite the allegations against its staff members.
“The small number of those suspected of being connected to the appalling atrocities carried out by Hamas on October 7th have correctly been dealt with,” he said.
“It is now of the utmost importance that all countries demonstrate their commitment to the vital humanitarian supports that are needed.
“Those countries who have removed their funding from UNRWA must be reminded of the unavoidable consequences their actions are likely to have on this most vulnerable.”
Ireland's support for UNRWA
Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin has confirmed Ireland will continue to support UNRWA and its “vital work” in Gaza.
“UNRWA’s 13,000 employees provide life saving assistance to 2.3m people and at incredible personal cost - with over 100 staff killed in last 4 months,” he said online.
Mr Higgins has urged other countries to follow Ireland’s example.
Set up to help refugees of the 1948 war at Israel's founding, UNRWA provides education, health and aid services to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon.
