NZ still plans $1m contribution to Gaza agency
Monday, 29 January 2024
New Zealand still plans to contribute NZ$1 million in aid funding to the under-fire United Nations aid agency for Palestinians in Gaza but in a statement the Government said “as we always do …we will assess the situation again prior to that payment being made”.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was aware of the “extremely serious allegations” that staff of the UN agency were involved in the October 7 attacks by Hamas that killed 1200 Israelis.
“New Zealand is taking these allegations very seriously, and will engage with UNRWA and other donors on the issue,” the statement said.
Australia has said it will pause its A$6 million (NZ$6.5 million) aid package to the UN agency. The US, Canada, Britain, Finland and Italy have also temporarily halted funding to UNRWA, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
UNRWA’s commisioner-general Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement that 3,000 agency staff continue to report to work, “giving their communities a lifeline which can collapse anytime now due to lack of funding”.
He urged for funding to continue for UNRWA.
“It would be immensely irresponsible to sanction an Agency and an entire community it serves because of allegations of criminal acts against some individuals, especially at a time of war, displacement and political crises in the region.”
MFAT said that it welcomed the UN’s swift response and expected the allegations to be investigated fully and with urgency.
“We have confidence in the systems and processes of the United Nations to undertake this investigation, and will follow it closely.”
Lazzarini said the UNRWA had terminated contracts with several employees and ordered an investigation.
“These shocking allegations come as more than 2 million people in Gaza depend on lifesaving assistance that the agency has been providing since the war began,” Lazzarini said in a statement.
The UN agency has 13,000 staffers in Gaza, almost all of them Palestinians, ranging from teachers in schools that the agency runs to doctors, medical staff and aid workers.
MFAT said that New Zealand remained committed to supporting the humanitarian response in Gaza.
“We continue to call for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access so that affected civilians can receive the lifesaving assistance that is so desperately needed.”
To date, New Zealand has contributed $5m to the International Committee of the Red Cross and $5m to the World Food Programme.