UNRWA Chief Condemns Sweden's Funding Cuts as 'Empty Excuses'
UNRWA leadership criticizes Sweden's decision to cut funding, calling the reasons 'empty excuses.'
Key Points
- • Philippe Lazzarini criticizes Sweden for stopping funding to UNRWA.
- • Sweden and the USA are the only countries to halt funding completely.
- • Lazzarini argues Sweden's reasons for the cut are 'empty excuses.'
- • Lazzarini warns that UNRWA's collapse would lead to severe instability.
Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), has sharply criticized Sweden for its decision to cease funding the agency, describing the reasons provided by the Swedish government as 'empty excuses.' This decision, announced in December 2024, made Sweden one of the only two countries, alongside the United States, that have completely halted contributions to UNRWA, which serves millions of Palestinian refugees in Gaza and the West Bank.
Lazzarini's critique particularly highlights that Sweden's claim linking the funding cuts to Israeli restrictions on UNRWA's activities does not hold water. He asserts that despite ongoing conflict, UNRWA continues vital operations providing education, healthcare, and other essential services. Currently, the agency employs 12,000 local staff and facilitates online classes for over 200,000 children, making it instrumental in the region's stability.
Historically, Sweden has been one of UNRWA's largest contributors, and its withdrawal of support is expected to have significant implications for the agency’s operations. Lazzarini emphasized the dire conditions in Gaza, referring to the humanitarian situation as a 'total catastrophe,' especially exacerbated by Israel's total blockade, which has left the region without outside assistance.
In his plea for international support to integrate UNRWA into a future political resolution, Lazzarini expressed his willingness to visit Sweden to discuss the ongoing crisis further. He warned that the collapse of UNRWA would lead to increasing suffering and instability in an already precarious region.
Lazzarini’s remarks come at a time when the humanitarian needs are growing, urging nations not to abandon their commitments and recognizing the essential role UNRWA plays amid the worsening situation in both Gaza and the West Bank. "Inaction will only deepen the humanitarian disaster," Lazzarini stated as he called for renewed support and understanding from the international community.