Swiss contribution to UN Palestinian Relief and Works Agency still suspended
Published: Thursday, Mar 21st 2024, 17:10
Updated At: Thursday, Mar 21st 2024, 21:20
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In view of a famine in Gaza, 17 aid organizations are calling for the rapid release of Swiss funds for the UN Palestinian Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). On Thursday, they sent an appeal to the Foreign Affairs Committees of Parliament and the Federal Council. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, however, has refused.
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) told the Keystone-SDA news agency in response to an inquiry that a decision on the disbursement of the 20 million Swiss francs earmarked for 2024 could only be made once more information about the serious allegations against the aid organization was available.
In addition, humanitarian organizations in the Middle East could only be supported after consultation with the Foreign Affairs Committees of the National Council and Council of States. Parliament decided this in the winter session in December when discussing the budget.
According to the FDFA, these consultations are scheduled for the second quarter of 2024. The funds will be disbursed in tranches, the department added. With its contribution, Switzerland is one of the largest donors to the UN Palestine Relief and Works Agency.
UNRWA chief before National Council committee
On Tuesday, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council (APK-N) invited the Swiss UNRWA Director Philippe Lazzarini to its meeting. The invitation was extended in order to discuss with him the situation in which UNRWA currently finds itself, Commission President Laurent Wehrli (FDP/VD) told the media.
The APK-N is likely to expect a statement from Lazzarini on the alleged involvement of twelve UNRWA employees in the Hamas massacre in Israel on October 7.
After the allegations made by Israel became known in mid-February, the United Nations launched an internal and external investigation. The external group of experts identified a need for improvement in an interim report. Its final report is due to be published on April 20.
Several countries had suspended their payments to the aid organization due to the allegations. Sweden has since resumed them.
No collective punishment of the innocent
The 17 non-governmental organizations, ranging from Amnesty International, peace organizations and the Switzerland without an Army group to Palestine solidarity groups, appealed to the APK and the Federal Council to pay the contribution to UNRWA as quickly as possible. They cited April as the timeframe. There is a man-made acute famine in Gaza.
Israel has been waging a defamation campaign against the UN relief organization for years. However, the UN and UNRWA take their duty of care seriously. Millions of people in need of aid in the Gaza Strip should not be collectively punished for the crimes of individuals. There, the relief organization is currently considered to be without alternative for the humanitarian care of more than two million civilians suffering from the consequences of the Gaza war.
©Keystone/SDA
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