Tell Congress to support funding UNRWA

While Palestinians in Gaza face genocidal violence, the collapse of medical care, and the possibility of famine, the Biden administration stopped funding the UN agency that serves them, UNRWA.

Now, Congress has banned funding to UNRWA until March 2025. This is outrageous.

UNRWA provides critical humanitarian aid and services to millions of people, including medical care, food, shelter, and more. They are the single largest providers of aid to Palestinians in Gaza who are trying to survive genocide.

Mere hours after the International Court of Justice’s announcement that Israel is plausibly committing genocide, the Israeli propaganda machine hit back with a deflective and malicious attack of UNRWA.

In many cases, Palestinians living under occupation have long relied on UNRWA for basic services. UNRWA is responsible for nearly 150 health clinics, which serve more than 9 million patients every year.¹

Right now, UNRWA facilities are providing shelter for nearly a million people in Gaza² — just under half of the total Gaza population.³

Experts are warning that families in Gaza are facing "imminent famine," with a lack of aid reaching Palestinians.⁴

UNRWA plays a crucial role in ensuring the distribution of the little aid that does arrive in Gaza. The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) used the word “catastrophic” to describe the likely consequences of pausing UNRWA aid.⁵

Tell your Members of Congress: You don’t cut aid during a genocide or a famine.


Sources:

  1. “It’s right to probe UNRWA’s problems – yet what would replace it? Its critics have no answer,” The Guardian, Jan. 31, 2024.

  2. “Details Emerge on U.N. Workers Accused of Aiding Hamas Raid,” NYT, Jan. 28, 2024.

  3. “What is UNRWA and why are some countries suspending its funding?,” Reuters, Jan. 30, 2024.  

  4. “Experts warn of ‘imminent’ famine in Gaza with lack of aid reaching Palestinians,” PBS News Hour, March 19, 2024.

  5. “WHO chief says defunding UNRWA will have 'catastrophic' consequences,” Reuters, Jan. 31, 2024.

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