The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is currently extremely precarious due to the ongoing conflict. More than 1.7 million people - the majority of Gaza's population - are currently displaced and unable to return to their homes. In addition, the food situation is extremely tense and healthcare is barely functioning. The humanitarian situation in the West Bank has also deteriorated significantly since the terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023 and the subsequent escalation of the Middle East conflict.
Against this backdrop, Liechtenstein is making a financial contribution of CHF 100,000 to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to provide emergency aid in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
In recent months, UNRWA has been regularly criticized, in particular for the alleged involvement of a small number of UNRWA employees in the Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023. The UN has launched internal and external investigations into these allegations. The external expert investigation was led by the former French Foreign Minister, Catherine Colonna. This investigation focused on the neutrality of UNRWA in relation to humanitarian work. In its final report, the expert commission found that UNRWA is currently indispensable in providing humanitarian aid to the Palestinians due to its long-standing presence, capacity and broad access. At the same time, however, the Commission found certain shortcomings in governance and made a number of recommendations to UNRWA to better ensure its neutrality. UNRWA immediately committed to addressing these shortcomings and developed an action plan. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs will monitor the progress of implementation and remain in close contact with both UNRWA and other donor states.