Palestinian refugees face hitting ‘rock bottom’, warns UNRWA in $1.6 billion appeal

‘Outrageous’ arson attack forces UNRWA to temporarily shutter East Jerusalem compound

Posting on social media, Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said “Israeli residents set fire twice to the perimeter” on Thursday evening.  UNRWA personnel and staff from other UN agencies were inside the compound at the time.  “Our director with the help of other staff had to put out the fire themselves as it took the Israeli fire extinguishers and police a while…

Read More
UNRWA committed to implement independent review recommendations

UNRWA committed to implement independent review recommendations

Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini briefed journalists in New York a day after the independent review panel published its findings.  Former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna spearheaded the report, which found that UNRWA has put in place a large number of mechanisms and procedures to ensure its commitment to the principle of neutrality and outlines some 50…

Read More
UNRWA report: UN chief stands with agency, backs findings of probe into 7 October attacks in Israel

UNRWA report: UN chief stands with agency, backs findings of probe into 7 October attacks in Israel

The Final Report, led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, was due to be released later on Monday; Ms. Colonna was also preparing to speak to journalists at a scheduled noon briefing in New York as Chair of the Independent Review Group on UNRWA.  “The Secretary-General accepts the recommendations contained in Ms. Colonna’s report,” Mr….

Read More
UPDATING LIVE: 'Insidious campaign' by Israel is denying live-saving aid to Gaza says UNRWA chief

UPDATING LIVE: ‘Insidious campaign’ by Israel is denying live-saving aid to Gaza says UNRWA chief

3:15 PM ‘Insidious campaign’ to end UNRWA aid operation in Gaza: Lazzarini UNRWA is the backbone of the aid effort to stop Gaza slipping into famine, Mr. Lazzarini told ambassadors, and beyond that it has championed Palestinian development for decades. “Today an insidious campaign to end UNRWA’s operations is underway, with serious implications for international…

Read More