US Democrats introduce bill to restore UNRWA funding

Reps Jayapal, Carson and Schakowsky lead effort to introduce UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act of 2024

A group of Democratic representatives has introduced a bill aimed at restoring US funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which provides critical services to nearly 6 million Palestinian refugees.

Representatives Pramila Jayapal, André Carson, and Jan Schakowsky led the effort to introduce the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act of 2024, which seeks to reverse the pause on US aid to the agency.

UNRWA has been instrumental in delivering essential relief such as food, healthcare, and education to Palestinian refugees living in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.

The US has historically been one of the agency's largest donors, but funding was suspended in January after Israel accused 12 UNRWA employees in Gaza of involvement in an attack by Hamas in October 2023.

During a press briefing, Congresswoman Jayapal emphasized the importance of UNRWA in preventing further humanitarian devastation in Gaza.

“Revoking funding for UNRWA will lead to more devastation and loss of life in Gaza. We must ensure that those acting in good faith to save civilian lives are not undermined by a lack of US funding,” Jayapal said.

Carson echoed this sentiment, urging lawmakers to support the bill on humanitarian grounds, stating that UNRWA has taken significant steps toward accountability and transparency. “It’s past time we restore funding and save lives,” he said.

The agency has faced growing challenges since its funding was cut, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

According to UN reports, Gaza is facing severe shortages of food and hygiene supplies, with nearly 1 million people at risk of going without basic necessities.

UNRWA remains a critical provider of aid in the region, especially as Gaza continues to suffer from widespread displacement and malnutrition due to ongoing conflict.

Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, defended the agency’s work in Gaza while addressing significant challenges related to funding shortfalls and obstacles to delivering aid.

Since the outbreak of violence on October 7, 193 UNRWA staff members have been killed, highlighting the perilous conditions under which the agency operates.

Lazzarini also raised concerns about Israeli efforts to undermine UNRWA, accusing Israel of legislative moves aimed at dismantling the agency's work.

According to Lazzarini, Israel has threatened to evict UNRWA staff from its compound in Jerusalem and label the organization as a terrorist entity.

The Israeli diplomatic mission in Geneva swiftly dismissed Lazzarini's claims, but the tension underscores the fraught environment in which UNRWA continues to operate.

the bill comes at a crucial time, with other nations—including the European Union, Canada, and Japan—having already resumed their contributions to UNRWA.

Congresswoman Schakowsky pointed out that UNRWA is the “backbone” of the humanitarian response in Gaza and stressed the importance of restoring US financial support to the agency.

"The US must follow suit and resume funding for this critical humanitarian agency,” Schakowsky said.

Human rights organizations and advocacy groups have also rallied behind the bill, emphasizing that the restoration of funds is vital to alleviating the ongoing suffering in Gaza. Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of J Street, noted that US funding is essential for both Palestinian welfare and Israeli security.

The legislation seeks to end the congressionally mandated pause on aid and encourage the US to play a more active role in addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Advocates argue that without this critical funding, the region will face further instability and worsening living conditions for millions of Palestinians.

The UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act of 2024 is now under review in Congress, with supporters hopeful that the US will soon rejoin international efforts to provide humanitarian relief to the Palestinian population.