Geneva – Together – The Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, said today, Tuesday, that 160 of the agency’s headquarters in the Gaza Strip were ‘completely destroyed.’
Lazzarini said in a press conference held at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland: ‘We have sufficient funding until the end of next June after a number of countries resumed funding the agency.’
Lazzarini reiterated his welcome to the report of the Agency’s Independent Review Group, noting that some of the report’s recommendations can be implemented quickly while others require additional staff and strong commitment and support from Member States.
The UNRWA Independent Review Group report, which was published on Monday, stated that the agency has established a large number of mechanisms and procedures to ensure its commitment to humanitarian principles, focusing on the principle of neutrality.
The report stated that the agency follows a more a
dvanced approach to neutrality than any other similar international or non-governmental body.
‘Because of the complexity of the environment in which we operate, we have to be very vigilant and we can always do more,’ Lazzarini said, explaining that he held a meeting with member states and informed them that the agency is currently preparing to update its response plan.
He added: ‘We will ensure that partners are aware of the actions that have already been taken in line with the recommendations contained in the report.’
Lazzarini explained that the Independent Review Group’s report has nothing to do with the investigation conducted by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services into the Israeli allegations.
He recalled the briefing he gave to members of the Security Council, in which he said that the issue of neutrality was not necessarily the motive behind the attack on UNRWA, noting that the primary motive for the attack was ‘to strip the Palestinians of their refugee status.’
He added: “Th
is is the reason behind the pressures that the agency is currently under to not be present not only in Gaza, but we are also exposed to pressures in Jerusalem and the West Bank.”
He said that he called on the Security Council to conduct an independent investigation and ensure accountability for the blatant disregard for the sanctity of the United Nations buildings, its staff and its operation in the Gaza Strip, recalling that to date, 280 United Nations staff have been killed.
He added: ‘More than 160 UNRWA buildings were damaged or completely destroyed, and at least 400 people were killed inside them as they sought protection under the UN flag. We also have reports that our buildings, which were evacuated, have been used for military purposes… and arrests have also been made.’ Our employees were subjected to ill-treatment, if not torture.”
He pointed out that the average number of trucks that entered Gaza reached 200 trucks during the month of April, and the entry of trucks reached its peak yesterday, M
onday, when 360 trucks entered. This represents a positive trend compared to previous months, he said.
But the Commissioner-General also pointed to concerns with the advent of summer and the renewed outbreak of diseases, especially in the south, noting that garbage collection has become a priority to prevent the spread of diseases.
He also noted the deep concern over the possibility of a looming Israeli military attack on Rafah, ‘which appears to have been back on the table.’
Source: Maan News Agency