Tánaiste announces extra €20m in funding for UN’s Palestinian refugee agency
Farrell/rollingnews Leah Unrwa Picture: Martin Philippe Lazzarini Micheál Missioner With Tánaiste Ie General
The Tánaiste has announced an extra €20m in funding for the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency as a number of other countries continue to pause financial support.
After a meeting with UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini in Dublin on Thursday, Micheál Martin said the agency is working in the “most desperate” of circumstances, adding that it is a “lifeline” for millions of Palestinian refugees.
He said there is “no replacement” for UNRWA’s work in Gaza and those who say otherwise are “not telling the truth”.
In a pointed remark aimed at Israel, Mr Martin said UNRWA has “a vital, lifesaving mandate that must be fulfilled”.
“One country cannot and must not be allowed, undermine that.”
He also raised deep concerns about the fact that a number of key donors suspended funding following “allegations against a very small number of staff that have yet to be proven,” and called on EU countries and the US to resume financial support to the agency.
More than a dozen counties have paused funding after Israel claimed that a number of UNRWA staff had been involved in the Oct 7 Hamas attacks.
UNRWA took immediate action to fire individuals which Israel had identified; however, the claims are still being investigated by the agency.