The Bureau welcomes the announcement of the ceasefire agreement and hostage deal in Gaza and looks forward to its full implementation, so that conditions for a political horizon of peace can be envisaged.
The Bureau calls on the Government of Israel, as the occupying power in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), to suspend the implementation of the Israeli State legislation curtailing UNRWA's operations in the oPt and to enter into a constructive dialogue with UNRWA to responsibly ensure the continuity of UNRWA operations in line with its mandate.
If implemented, the legislation would severely impact the humanitarian response in Gaza, potentially jeopardize the ceasefire and could eventually undermine prospects for regional stability.
At present, amidst collective efforts to consolidate the viability and sustainability of the ceasefire, one of the most urgent and immediate tasks for the international community is to alleviate the extremely dire humanitarian situation for civilians in Gaza by providing assistance at the speed and scale that is required.
UNRWA has facilitated more than half of the entire emergency response in Gaza over the past 15 months and remains vital in the successful implementation of the ceasefire for the provision of humanitarian assistance and of education to the hundreds of thousands of children in Gaza and the 50.000 children in UNRWA schools in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. No other entity or UN Agency currently has the capacity or infrastructure to replace UNRWA's unique mandate and experience in delivering education, health services and relief and social services in the oPt.
As a provider of essential services to Palestine Refugees, UNRWA has a crucial role not only as a humanitarian actor contributing to the sustainability of the ceasefire, but also as indispensable for the human and economic development of Palestinians and for the path towards a durable political solution.
The Bureau is convinced that until a just and durable solution to the plight of Palestine Refugees is reached in accordance with international law and relevant UN Resolutions, UNRWA remains essential in all five fields of operations.
The Bureau underlines the importance that UNRWA fully implements the recommendations of the Colonna Report and acknowledges the initial progress made on implementing the recommendations. The Bureau requests the Agency to prioritize and accelerate measures to enhance vetting of staff and ensuring neutrality of the Agency.
UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The United Nations General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949 with a mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestine refugees in the Agency's area of operations pending a just and lasting solution to their plight.
UNRWA operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, The Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
Tens of thousands of Palestine refugees who lost their homes and livelihoods due to the 1948 conflict continue to be displaced and in need of support, nearly 75 years on.
UNRWA helps Palestine Refugees achieve their full potential in human development through quality services it provides in education, health care, relief and social services, protection, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.
