Sweden to halt funding UN agency for Palestinian refugees, redirect aid to Gaza

Sweden will no longer fund the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in response to Israel’s upcoming ban on the agency’s operations, effective from late January.

Swedish Aid Minister Benjamin Dousa announced the decision, stating that humanitarian assistance to Gaza would now be channeled through other organizations, Caliber.Az reports per Turkish media.

Israel has accused UNRWA of involvement with Hamas, specifically regarding the October 7 attack, and will prohibit the agency’s activities within its borders. As a result, Sweden’s decision reflects concerns over the logistical challenges of providing aid through UNRWA in the wake of the ban.

Dousa confirmed that Sweden plans to increase overall humanitarian support to Gaza in 2024, with alternative organizations such as the UN World Food Program to receive funding. The minister noted that Sweden had met with various groups working on the ground in Gaza during a recent visit.

The United Nations General Assembly recently voiced support for UNRWA, urging Israel to respect the agency’s mandate. Despite Israel’s continued criticism, UNRWA remains a crucial lifeline for displaced Palestinians in Gaza, particularly in the face of severe food shortages and forced displacement caused by the ongoing conflict. However, the agency’s work has been disrupted since Israel accused several of its staff of links to Hamas, leading to funding pauses from at least 16 countries, including the United States.

UNRWA continues to provide emergency shelters to hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians in Gaza’s southern and central regions amid escalating violence.

By Vafa Guliyeva