The Canadian government on Friday said it will restart assistance for people in Gaza through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), APA reports.
Despite concerns and ongoing investigations into allegations against some UNRWA staff about complicity in Hamas' deadly October 7 attack, Canada said it is resuming its funding to UNRWA so more can be done to respond to the urgent needs of Palestinian civilians.
This decision aims to address the urgent needs of Palestinian civilians while maintaining a commitment to accountability and reforms, Ahmed Hussen, the minister of International Development, said in a statement. He didn't say when the funding would resume.
Juliette Touma, Director of Communications for UNRWA, welcomed Canada's decision – and called on other countries that have suspended funding to reconsider their decisions.
Speaking during the UN General Assembly meeting on Monday, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said 16 countries paused their funding, totaling $450 million, despite "the unsubstantiated nature of the allegations."
He added that “UNRWA has no capacity to absorb financial shocks, especially while a war rages in Gaza.”
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