Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Deferred
Push for rapid UNRWA governance improvements to restore UK and international funding swiftly.
Recommendation
This Committee understands that the UK Government wants to see UNRWA improve its governance and then return to receiving funding for its work in Gaza. The UK Government must push for this to happen quickly, both so that UK funding continues but also that international partners are persuaded to restart their funding as well, otherwise the consequences for public services will be catastrophic, both in the Gaza Strip and in the other areas where UNRWA works, including the West Bank and refugee camps in the region. (Paragraph 72) Humanitarian situation in Gaza 21
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with UNRWA's vital role but states it paused funding due to allegations and is awaiting the outcome of UN investigations and careful consideration of reports. The UK will set out its position on future UNRWA funding only after this process, rather than actively pushing for quick resumption now.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
Agree Allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel are appalling, which is why the UK took decisive action to pause future funding to UNRWA in line with the United States, Canada, Australia, the EU, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands. The UN launched two independent investigations, one by the UN Office for Internal Oversight Services into the specific allegations, and one led by Catherine Colonna, to review UNRWA’s neutrality procedures and policies. The UN OIOS has completed an interim report of its investigation into the incident, and Catherine Colonna has published her final report into the neutrality of UNRWA. The report made fifty recommendations in eight different areas for improvements. The UN Secretary General welcomed the report and accepted the recommendations. UNRWA Commissioner General Lazzarini accepted the recommendations and committed to implement them in full. The UK recognises that UNRWA has a vital role to play in providing aid and services in Gaza and the region. We recognise the operational and logistical role UNRWA plays on the ground and that it provides important distribution capacity for other agencies. We remain committed to getting humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza who desperately need it, including through other UN agencies and British charities. Our decision to pause future funding to UNRWA has had no impact on the UK’s contribution to the humanitarian response. We will set out our position on future funding to UNRWA following careful consideration of the final report, UNRWA’s response and the ongoing OIOS investigation into the allegations.