UNRWA Warns of Efforts to Dismantle Agency, Threatening Palestinian Refugee Status
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has warned that efforts to dismantle the agency and halt its activities are intended to strip Palestinian refugees of their status—an action the organization says would set a dangerous precedent in the international system.
Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, made the remarks during the ‘Global Refugee Forum’, stating that weakening the agency not only endangers millions of Palestinian refugees but also threatens the lives of humanitarian workers and undermines the credibility of the international multilateral system.
According to Lazzarini, UNRWA has long been a cornerstone of humanitarian support for Palestinians—providing services in areas such as education, health, and emergency aid. He warned that any attempt to eliminate the agency would have wide-ranging humanitarian and political consequences.
He stressed that effective and sustainable solutions to the Palestinian refugee crisis can only be achieved through strong, principled political action, backed by stable and responsible financial support.
