In Dialogue with EU and European Partners, UNRWA Reiterates Call for Humanitarian Ceasefire and Respect of International Humanitarian Law in Gaza – occupied Palestinian territory

Between 7 and 9 November, UNRWA Acting Deputy Commissioner-General Natalie Boucly held a series of high-level meetings in Brussels to discuss the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Gaza and UNRWA’s need for continuous support to ensure its vital role in Gaza and in the region.

The Acting Deputy Commissioner-General met with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, Chairs of several European Parliament political groups and Committees, high-level civil servants of the European Commission’s Directorate-Generals for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) and for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), the European External Action Service (EEAS), and the EU Council. She was also invited to brief the External Relations Committee of the Belgian Federal Parliament.

“The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is getting worse by the day, with more than 2 million people running out of water, food and medicines. UNRWA is calling for a humanitarian ceasefire and the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to respond to the critical needs of Palestinian communities in the Gaza Strip. Civilians, humanitarian personnel, civilian infrastructure, and UN installations must be protected at all times” said Boucly.

In all her meetings, she emphasized the urgent need for both political and financial support to UNRWA.

“Support from the EU institutions and its Member States is crucial in these difficult times. We are grateful for the recent announcement of EU humanitarian support through DG ECHO for UNRWA’s Appeal, and the disbursement of additional funds to the Agency’s operational budget agreed by the European Parliament and the Council, which are vital for the UNRWA operations,” she added.

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Notes to editors

· Nearly 730,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are now sheltering in 151 UNRWA installations across the Gaza Strip, including in the north.

· Since the beginning of the war, 99 UNRWA staff have been killed. At least 51 UNRWA installations have been damaged.

· No fuel has been allowed into the Gaza Strip since 7 October. Fuel is critical to continue life-saving humanitarian operations in Gaza.

Background Information:

UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The United Nations General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949 with a mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestine refugees in the Agency’s area of operations pending a just and lasting solution to their plight.

UNRWA operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, The Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

Tens of thousands of Palestine refugees who lost their homes and livelihoods due to the 1948 conflict continue to be displaced and in need of support, nearly 75 years on.

UNRWA helps Palestine Refugees achieve their full potential in human development through quality services it provides in education, health care, relief and social services, protection, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.