MELBOURNE, 15 March 2024: Australia today lifted the ban imposed on United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), following steps to strengthen the integrity of UNRWA operations.
The decision to pause an additional $6 million in funding was taken after serious allegations were made, resulting in UNRWA’s dismissal of staff alleged to have been involved in the Hamas terrorist attacks of 7 October.
A media release posted on Penny Wong’s website says, “Australia and our partners welcome the decisive actions from UNRWA and the UN Secretary General António Guterres to strengthen the integrity of operations. This includes the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services’ investigation of the allegations, and the independent review into UNRWA and the principle of neutrality, led by former French Foreign Minister, Catherine Colonna.
We welcome UNRWA’s immediate work to deliver an action plan for donors, including Australia. The plan includes strengthened internal controls to ensure its neutrality, including rigorous requirements of staff.”
Australian Foreign Minister, Senator Penny Wong said, “The Australian Government will work with UNRWA on an ongoing basis to ensure its integrity and neutrality are beyond reproach.
“The additional assistance provided, including support for airdrops, is recognition that we need to pursue all avenues to address the suffering in Gaza.”
More than 1.7 million Palestinians have been displaced, most living in crowded and unsanitary conditions. Access to health care and food is limited; the risk of widespread famine is growing. Women and children are facing the most acute impacts, but the suffering is widespread and threatens to have enduring health effects.
To address the urgent need, Australia has decided to support efforts by Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to assist with the delivery of vital humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.
A Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster will deliver a supply of 140 Australian Defence Force (ADF) aerial delivery parachutes for use in humanitarian assistance airdrops by Jordan and the UAE.
The Australian Government will also provide an additional $4 million to UNICEF to provide urgent services, including for women and children, and $2 million to the new mechanism of the UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, to facilitate expanded humanitarian access into Gaza, the media release says.
The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) has welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement of its restoration of frozen funding to UNRWA and its broader package of funding for UNICEF and the UN, but says the decision was long overdue, with UNRWA now at risk of collapse and Palestinians in Gaza facing starvation and imminent famine.
Greens leader Adam Bandt said, ” UNRWA funding should never have been withdrawn. This is the bare minimum. Labor gets no praise for putting back what should never have been taken away.”
