UNRWA

The Government of Israel is running a global disinformation campaign targeting UNRWA, the largest humanitarian provider for people in war-torn #Gaza. The act of Israel, a UN member state, to label UNRWA, a UN agency, as a terror organisation may amount to hate speech. Using both Google ads and billboards around the world, the campaign is creating immense reputational damage to UNRWA. Those responsible for the spread of disinformation must stop and be held accountable. Regulations must be put in place to control the spread of such damaging and possibly dangerous messages. Full statement: https://lnkd.in/gY45TD74

Today, the Government of #Sweden announced its decision to stop funding UNRWA. As UNRWA is the backbone of humanitarian aid in #Gaza, this decision will have a direct impact on the ground, including in terms of logistics, fuel and provision of services. UNRWA is also key in supporting the human development of #PalestineRefugees. Full statement of UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini: https://lnkd.in/dcxdvrDX

"Right now, it seems like any path that people take here, it leads to death." UNRWA Senior Emergency Officer Louise Wateridge tells CNN if it's not the bombs and the strikes, or seeing families burned alive in their tents - people are dying from lack of medicine, spread of treatable diseases and drinking dirty water "it's just endless - the amount of ways that people can be killed here."

In his Op-ed for The Guardian, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini calls for political courage to defend and reinforce the multilateral system and the international rules-based order. The State of Israel continues to claim that UNRWA is infiltrated by Hamas, even though all allegations for which evidence has been offered have been thoroughly investigated. Read in full: https://lnkd.in/dU23CSrw

The vast majority of UN member states voted to request a clarification from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the obligations of Israel in relation to international laws. They question the legality of the Israeli Parliament bills aimed at dismantling UNRWA, and show solidarity for #PalestineRefugees. Respect for international law must be upheld with no exceptions. Statement from Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs https://lnkd.in/dSH7AEEd

"Children and their #education have been a casualty of the war" in #Gaza tells UNRWA Communications Director Juliette Touma to BBC News. "The longer children stay out of school, the more difficult it is to catch up on their losses and the bigger the risk for them to fall prey to exploitation." #CeasefireNow UNESCO UNICEF Education Cannot Wait (ECW)

Before the war, UNRWA ran a centre to support visually Impaired children in Gaza. It was the only centre in the supporting over 500 children from across Gaza. Part of the centre was destroyed during the war. Now, #UNRWAworks to keep supporting the visually impaired children with winter clothes and hygiene supplies. They need more attention and help. #CeasefireNow

In #Syria, UNRWA works to provide health, education, food and mental health support. Health centres are re-opening. Emergency food distribution is ongoing, and schools welcomed tens of thousands of children. #UNRWAworks

Even if implemented, the Israeli ban on UNRWA’s operations in #Gaza and the #WestBank would not affect the legal status of #PalestineRefugees. "If UNRWA were forced to shut down its schools, health centres, and all its services tomorrow - Palestine Refugees remain Palestine Refugees," UNRWA Director of External Relations and Communications Tamara Alrifai explains to Al Jazeera.

Over the past 14 months media outlets have published stories about UNRWA based on unverified information from the State of Israel, putting the lives of our staff at risk. Drop Site News reports on that and the dangers of spreading disinformation: https://lnkd.in/d6Uffcb2