It would be impossible for any other organisation or UN agency to effectively or quickly replace UNRWA. It is the pivotal provider of aid and essential services in the occupied Palestinian territory, including hundreds of healthcare clinics and schools. NGOs including Save the Children are doing everything they can to support children and families in Gaza, but without UNRWA, the task is near unachievable.
The entire Gaza Strip is currently classified in IPC Phase 4 and the risk of famine remains high as long as fighting continues, and humanitarian access remains restricted. The latest IPC data warns that 345,000 people could face catastrophic hunger in the coming months if these conditions persist. UNRWA and humanitarian organisations must have safe access to reach and assist children and their families.
Save the Children Australia spokesperson Aram Hosie said:
"UNRWA is the backbone of the aid response and a lifeline for Palestinian children and families across the occupied Palestinian territory and the region, and its role would take years to effectively replace – years the people of Gaza do not have under current hostilities and restrictions," said Mr Hosie.
"The occupied Palestinian territory, specifically Gaza, is the deadliest place on earth to be a child. Palestinian children have been uprooted time and time again, denied access to the basics they need to survive. This latest announcement by the Knesset risks the complete collapse of any semblance of a humanitarian response in Gaza."
"This move by the Government of Israel follows a year of deadly attacks on UNRWA schools, healthcare facilities, and aid warehouses by Israeli forces, with at least 233 UNRWA staff killed since 7 October 2023. Australia must state loud and clear that attacks on aid workers and efforts by the Government of Israel to restrict the delivery of aid to millions of Palestinians in need will not be tolerated."
"Australia must do everything it can to support those in need, including by further increasing humanitarian funding and pressuring the Government of Israel to allow much greater amounts of aid in. States have legal obligations under the Geneva Conventions to promote adherence to International Humanitarian law and prevent violations."
