The Qatar Fund for Development has announced a $10 million donation to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to support essential services for Palestinian refugees across the Middle East. The contribution comes at a critical time as the UN agency struggles to maintain its humanitarian operations amid severe funding shortages.
Vital Support for Refugee Services
In a statement released Monday, UNRWA expressed gratitude for the Qatari contribution, emphasizing that the funds will enable the continuation of crucial services including education, healthcare, and social support programs. The agency provides these essential services to Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Addressing Critical Funding Gaps
The Qatari donation arrives as UNRWA faces one of its most severe financial crises, threatening its ability to deliver basic services to Palestinian refugees. The agency has repeatedly warned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, where nearly two million Palestinians are experiencing severe shortages of food, medicine, and other essential supplies due to ongoing restrictions.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The situation in Gaza remains particularly dire, with Israeli authorities maintaining tight restrictions on humanitarian access since early March. While limited aid convoys have occasionally been permitted entry, UN officials report they fall significantly short of meeting the population’s basic needs. The humanitarian catastrophe has been further exacerbated by the extensive damage to infrastructure and the overwhelming number of casualties resulting from recent military operations.