TORONTO — Canada will restore funding to the United Nations relief agency for Palestinians, weeks after the agency, known as UNRWA, lost hundreds of millions of dollars in support following Israeli allegations against some of its staffers in Gaza.
Canada was one of 16 countries that temporarily halted future payments.
Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, said Canada has been reassured after receiving an interim report from the United Nations investigation of Israel’s allegations.
“Canada is resuming its funding to UNRWA so more can be done to respond to the urgent needs of Palestinian civilians. Canada will continue to take the allegations against some of UNRWA’s staff extremely seriously and we will remain closely engaged with UNRWA and the UN to pursue accountability and reforms,” Hussen said.
The Canadian government was set to announce the decision on Wednesday but delayed it until Friday, for reasons that were not immediately clear.
The Israel-Hamas war has driven 80% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million Palestinians from their homes, and U.N. officials say a quarter of the population is starving as access to the enclave is restricted. UNRWA, which employs roughly 13,000 people in Gaza, is the main supplier of food, water and shelter there, but it is on the brink of financial collapse.
Israel accused 12 of its employees of participating in the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel that killed 1,200 people and left about 250 others held hostage in Gaza. In response, more than a dozen countries including Canada suspended funding to UNRWA worth about $450 million, almost half its budget for the year.
Two U.N. investigations into Israel’s allegations were already underway when the European Union said last Friday it will give 50 million euros ($54 million) to UNRWA after the agency agreed to allow EU-appointed experts to audit the way it screens staff to identify extremists.
Israel now alleges that 450 UNRWA employees were members of militant groups in Gaza, though it has provided no evidence.
The Canadian government is due to contribute $25 million Canadian ($19 million) to UNRWA in April and did not miss a payment as a result of the pause.
Canada will also send $100,000 Canadian (US$74,000) to the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization for supplies including food and blankets to be delivered to the territory. The Canadian military will also send 300 cargo parachutes to Jordan to help with airdrops of critical supplies.
UNRWA in a statement has accused Israel of detaining several of its staffers and using torture and ill treatment to force them to give false confessions about the links between the agency, Hamas and the Oct. 7 attack.
The attack sparked an Israeli invasion that Gaza’s Health Ministry, which is run by Hamas, says has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians.
Canada has announced that it will be restoring funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the UN agency that provides assistance to Palestinian refugees in Gaza. This decision comes after a four-year hiatus in funding, during which Canada had suspended its contributions to the agency.
The decision to restore funding to UNRWA is a significant one, as the agency plays a crucial role in providing essential services to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, including education, healthcare, and social services. With over 1.3 million registered refugees in Gaza alone, UNRWA’s work is vital in ensuring that these vulnerable populations have access to the basic necessities they need to survive and thrive.
Canada’s decision to restore funding to UNRWA has been met with praise from humanitarian organizations and advocates for Palestinian rights. The move is seen as a positive step towards supporting the humanitarian needs of Palestinian refugees in Gaza, who have been disproportionately affected by the ongoing conflict in the region.
In addition to providing essential services to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, UNRWA also plays a key role in promoting stability and peace in the region. By addressing the basic needs of Palestinian refugees and helping to alleviate their suffering, UNRWA contributes to building a more secure and prosperous future for all residents of Gaza.
Canada’s decision to restore funding to UNRWA is a welcome development that will help to ensure that Palestinian refugees in Gaza have access to the support and assistance they need. It is hoped that other countries will follow Canada’s lead and increase their support for UNRWA, so that the agency can continue its important work in providing essential services to Palestinian refugees in Gaza and beyond.
