Oxfam's Response to the suspension of UNRWA funding

Countries who have halted contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) are condemning the people of Gaza to an even more uncertain fate than the death and destruction they are currently facing. This rush to judgement not only threatens lives, it also sets a dangerous precedent. We know that access to humanitarian aid is used in conflicts to control and punish populations. We cannot allow a situation where 2 million people are in greater jeopardy because of the alleged actions of a few.

We commend Tánaiste Micheál Martin’s stance on Ireland continuing its funding of UNRWA. The organisation is a lifeline to over 6 million people, not just in Gaza but throughout the entire region.

The Tánaiste is absolutely correct - the people who will suffer most as aid to UNRWA is cut will be the people of Gaza who are on the verge of starvation, not to mention communities in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.

Today, we joined 19 other development and humanitarian agencies in expressing our concern and outrage at this reckless suspension of vital funding. Ireland must continue to stand firm against the weaponisation of humanitarian aid in this conflict and other donor states must follow their leadership.