UNRWA Grapples with Critical Funding Shortages Amid Gaza Conflict
gaza City – After nearly twenty years of dedicated teaching at a UNRWA school, Maryam Shaaban (name changed for privacy) was devastated upon learning she was among 600 employees recently dismissed. These layoffs are part of stringent cost-cutting measures triggered by the ongoing Israeli military operations in the Gaza strip.
budget Deficits Drive UNRWA to Slash Salaries and Workforce
This year, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) revealed severe austerity actions: a 20% pay cut for staff based in Gaza, reduced working hours, and contract terminations for personnel outside Gaza who had been placed on unpaid “remarkable leave.” These steps respond to an alarming projected budget shortfall exceeding $220 million by 2026.
The agency’s management cautioned that this financial gap threatens its capacity to compensate employees and maintain essential humanitarian services relied upon daily by millions.
The Human Impact: Voices from Those Affected
Maryam Shaaban began her career with UNRWA in 2007 at Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza. Now displaced in Egypt alongside her critically wounded husband, she has endured profound hardship amid Israel’s recent military offensives.
The family fled Jabalia after their home was destroyed. Seeking shelter at Nuseirat camp,they suffered another blow when an Israeli airstrike hit their refuge in December 2023. The strike resulted in the deaths of fifteen people-including Maryam’s 22-year-old daughter-and left many relatives injured.
A Systematic Undermining of UNRWA’s Role
The Israeli government has escalated efforts to weaken UNRWA’s operations. Repeated accusations claim the agency sympathizes or collaborates with Palestinian militant factions-allegations firmly denied by UNRWA officials who enforce strict disciplinary standards against any employee misconduct.
In late 2025, israel’s Knesset enacted legislation banning UNRWA activities within territories it claims sovereignty over-including East Jerusalem-citing security concerns. The agency condemned this law as unlawful and contrary to international humanitarian principles governing aid organizations.
Since October 2023 alone, more than 380 UNRWA staff members have perished due to Israeli attacks inside Gaza.Recently, bulldozers demolished parts of its East Jerusalem headquarters under heavy protection from far-right political figures-a move described by agency leaders as part of a purposeful campaign aimed at erasing Palestinian refugee identity.
The Personal Sacrifices Behind Policy Choices
Suffering injuries herself during these assaults-with five children also wounded-Maryam traveled abroad last April with her husband seeking urgent medical treatment but had no option but to leave some children behind still recovering from bombing-related wounds.
“Leaving my children behind while pursuing medical care felt like punishment rather than relief,” Maryam shared emotionally.
“After enduring years filled with loss and constant fear back home, losing our jobs added an unbearable weight.”
This dismissal followed earlier decisions placing displaced workers on unpaid “exceptional leave,” despite many continuing remote teaching amid conflict conditions. For families like Maryam’s-with multiple members requiring costly medical implants-the sudden income loss intensified hardships exponentially within already dire circumstances inside Gaza.
Dwindling Global Aid Deepens Crisis Impact
A notable factor fueling this financial emergency is declining international donations after several donor nations suspended funding following unproven allegations against some staff members. This reduction jeopardizes critical services provided by UNRWA-which supports approximately seven out of ten Gazans through education programs, healthcare access, food distribution initiatives, and social welfare projects vital under siege conditions worsened as October 2023.
Why are Budget Cuts Concentrated Mainly on Gaza?
An uproar has emerged among both local and external employees protesting what they perceive as disproportionate targeting compared to other regions served by the agency-including Jordan, Lebanon, Syria plus occupied West Bank areas such as East Jerusalem where operations continue despite restrictions.
“All these cuts began here-in one place already devastated beyond measure.
Gaza faces relentless death tolls alongside hunger crises; yet it bears the first brunt while others remain untouched.”
- “Some dismissed colleagues are battling serious illnesses like cancer.”
- “Others were caring for sick relatives abroad when suddenly stripped of salaries.”
- “Many lost entire families or homes overnight.”
- “Punishing those fleeing war zones contradicts fundamental humanitarian values.”
The Lifeline That Is Rapidly Disappearing
Mothers such as Jihan al-Harazin depend heavily on remaining accessible services through agencies like UNWRA-health clinics offering vaccinations or schools providing stability amid chaos:
“UNWRA used to be our lifeline-for food distribution,
education support,
and healthcare services.
Now months have passed without aid reaching us.”
This scarcity worsens daily due not only to conflict-related blockades but also alleged politicization restricting aid flow into besieged communities since late last year.
< h3 >Humanitarian Efforts Under siege: A Larger Strategy?
< p >Amjad Shawa,< strong > director < / strong >of Palestine NGOs network (PNGO), emphasized that weakening agencies like UNWRA undermines not just immediate relief efforts but challenges core rights tied directly
to refugees’ future claims including right-of-return discussions long contested politically.
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“the continuous Israeli restrictions combined with incitement campaigns aim
to dismantle structures supporting Palestinians’ survival,” he explained.
< p >
He further warned that curtailing humanitarian organizations fits into wider strategies designed
to erase Palestinian identity internationally while ignoring obligations under international law.
< blockquote >
“There is an ongoing assault targeting all forms
of humanitarian assistance here – including critical institutions such as ours.
We bear consequences simply as we uphold laws meant
to protect civilians amidst occupation.”
