UN agency chief fears ‘disaster’ in Gaza as funding runs dry

UN agency chief fears ‘disaster’ in Gaza as funding runs dry

The "worst financial crisis" ever faced by the UN's agency for Palestinian refugees could lead to "disaster" in the Gaza Strip and insecurity in Lebanon, the organisation's chief has warned.

Founded in 1949, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) runs schools and provides health services as well as other humanitarian aid to an estimated 5.7 million Palestinians with refugee status.

"It is in the interest of no one to see schools suddenly suspended... health services being suspended (in Gaza), at a time when people are hit by the (coronavirus) pandemic," the agency's chief Philippe Lazzarini told AFP.

"It would be a total disaster," he added, in an interview conducted by videoconference on Sunday.

Last week, Lazzarini announced that UNRWA