Islamic Organization deplores decision made by several countries to suspend funding for UNRWA

JEDDAH: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) today deplored the decision taken by various countries to temporarily suspend approving new funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). OIC, in a statement, slammed the decision to cease support to UNRWA as a collective punishment that would further exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. OIC urged countries that have suspended their funding to the UN agency to reverse their decision to enable the agency to continue providing services and essential needs, including food, shelter and primary healthcare to people in refugee camps, particularly in the Gaza Strip. Refugee camps in Gaza are experiencing dire circumstances as a result of the continued and escalated Israeli aggression against innocent civilians since October 7, which has so far led to tens of thousands of casualties, including children, women, medical personnel and journalists. OIC stressed that the ongoing occupation's aggression; the ban imposed by it on the entry of aid and its intentional destruction of buildings, schools, hospitals, places of worship and facilities run by UNRWA have negatively impacted refugee camps in the Strip. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation also warned of the risk of halting funding to UNRWA which accounts for much of its budget and forcing it to suspend its humanitarian assistance to the millions of Palestinian refugees. OIC further stressed the repercussions of such measures on the security and stability in the region. At least nine countries have suspended funding for the UN agency. Source: Palestine News and Information Agency