United Nations Secretary-General Appoints Independent Review Group to Assess UNRWA Efforts
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed an independent review panel to assess the efforts of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) regarding the maintenance of the agency’s neutrality, as reported by the Arab World News Agency.
The United Nations published a statement clarifying that the review panel, headed by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, will work in collaboration with three organizations. The work of the group commenced on February 14th, with an interim report expected to be presented to Guterres by late March.
The statement added that the review group's final report is anticipated to be completed by the end of April. The group will evaluate the efficiency of the agency’s mechanisms and procedures to ensure impartiality and to respond to allegations of infractions. This review is conducted in parallel with an investigation by a UN office following accusations involving 12 UNRWA staff members in attacks on October 7th.
Guterres noted that the allegations against the UN agency come under challenging circumstances, with aid delivery to two million people in the Gaza Strip.
Following Israeli claims that several UNRWA staff members participated in an attack led by Hamas and other Palestinian factions on Israeli towns around the Gaza Strip on October 7th, several countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy, suspended their funding to the agency.
Subsequently, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini confirmed that an immediate investigation was launched, and the contracts of the implicated employees were terminated. However, Lazzarini warned that if the suspension of funding continues, the agency might be forced to stop its operations in Gaza and the whole region by the end of the current February.
The statement added that the review group's final report is anticipated to be completed by the end of April. The group will evaluate the efficiency of the agency’s mechanisms and procedures to ensure impartiality and to respond to allegations of infractions. This review is conducted in parallel with an investigation by a UN office following accusations involving 12 UNRWA staff members in attacks on October 7th.
Guterres noted that the allegations against the UN agency come under challenging circumstances, with aid delivery to two million people in the Gaza Strip.
Following Israeli claims that several UNRWA staff members participated in an attack led by Hamas and other Palestinian factions on Israeli towns around the Gaza Strip on October 7th, several countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy, suspended their funding to the agency.
Subsequently, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini confirmed that an immediate investigation was launched, and the contracts of the implicated employees were terminated. However, Lazzarini warned that if the suspension of funding continues, the agency might be forced to stop its operations in Gaza and the whole region by the end of the current February.