New Zealand will "assess the situation" in Gaza before releasing a planned million dollar payment to the under fire United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
It comes after Israel passed on intelligence alleging that several members of UNRWA’s staff were part of the Hamas group which attacked Israel on October 7 last year. The agency has sacked some staff amid an ongoing internal investigation as a result.
New Zealand provides UNRWA with $1 million a year in funding as part of an arrangement which ends this year. In regard to this year’s payment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) told 1News in a statement: “As we always do prior to releasing funds, we will assess the situation again prior to that payment being made.”
MFAT also said the bulk of New Zealand’s contribution to the current crisis has been via other agencies – including $45 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross, and $5 million to the World Food Programme.
A number of countries have suspended funds to UNRWA as a result of the allegations levelled at some of its staff. The US, UK and Australia are among those withholding funds.
The BBC reports that the agency’s former chief spokesperson Christopher Gunness, criticised the move, saying suspending aid was “disproportionate” and would “only lead to further suffering in Gaza.”
MFAT said New Zealand remains committed to supporting the critical humanitarian response in Gaza.
"We continue to call for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access so that affected civilians can receive the lifesaving assistance that is so desperately needed.”
UNRWA is the largest UN agency operating in the Gaza strip, with an estimated 13,000 staff in the territory. It provides a range of humanitarian assistance, including distributing aid, healthcare, and education services.
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