UNRWA Executive Director “Expects Japan to resume funding” appeals for continued activities

Lazzarini, Executive Director of UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees), which is responsible for humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip but whose funding has been suspended by Japan, the West, and others, spoke to NHK and other media about the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. He emphasized the importance of continuing these activities as the situation deepens, and expressed hope that Japan would once again provide funding.

Regarding UNRWA, some of its staff were suspected of being involved in the attack on Israel by the Islamic group Hamas in October last year, and many major donor countries, including Japan, suspended funding.

UNRWA Executive Director Philippe Lazzarini, who is visiting Japan, said in an interview with NHK and other media on the 29th, ``People are dying of starvation in the Gaza Strip, and it is now a race against time to provide assistance.'' It showed a strong sense of crisis.

He added, ``If the funds run out, not only the support in the Gaza Strip but also the position of UNRWA staff will be in jeopardy.The Gaza Strip is experiencing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, and we need to continue our work based there.'' It is extremely important that we do so.”

As the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip deepens, this month Canada, Sweden, France, and other countries have successively announced that they will resume funding, and the response of Japan, which was the sixth largest donor last year, is also in the spotlight.

Secretary-General Lazzarini said, ``We have built a partnership with Japan for 70 years.In addition to financial contributions, we hope to receive political support,'' expressing his hope that Japan will resume its contributions.

On the other hand, he expressed concern about the United States, which was the largest donor, saying, ``It has been decided that contributions will not resume until March next year, which will affect our activities.'' To this end, he expressed his intention to seek cooperation from countries in Southeast Asia and other countries that have offered new contributions, in addition to existing supporting countries.