Private donations boost UN support for war-torn Gaza — Global Issues

Since October last year, the UN agency has raised nearly $150 million UNRWA Spain, UNRWA United States, foundations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), companies and individuals.

Some even doubled or tripled their donations, said Karim Amer, the agency’s director of partnerships, who spoke to UN News for the International Day of Charityannually on September 5.

“Your donations matter, no matter the size,” Mr. Amer said. “Your support impacts tens of thousands of families who are suffering from loss, displacement, injury, constant fear and anxiety.”

For the cash-strapped agency, the outpouring of support is crucial. UNRWA lost $450 million when 16 donor countries suspended funding following Israeli government allegations in January that a dozen employees were involved in the October 7 Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel that sparked the ongoing war.

The UN immediately launched an investigation that completed in August. It concluded that the evidence, if substantiated or confirmed, could indicate that nine staff members may have been involved. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini has decided to terminate their contracts in the interest of the agency.

All donors except the US have since resumed financing.

Indispensable support

UNRWA was commissioned by the UN General Assembly in 1949 and provides services to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, Jordan and Syria.

Until the war in Gaza began, UNRWA provided education to more than half a million boys and girls in the region and basic health care to more than 2 million people.

The majority of private donations are used to provide much-needed food, water, medicine and shelter to Palestinian families in the Gaza Strip.

The war of the past 10 months has reportedly killed more than 40,000 people in Gaza, including 213 UNRWA team members. It has caused catastrophic levels of hunger and destruction. Most health, water and shelter infrastructure has been destroyed or rendered unusable.

Support gives employees the strength to continue working

UNRWA is currently coordinating a polio vaccination campaign with the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) since the disease was diagnosed in a 10-month-old boy in Gaza, after the disease was eradicated there 25 years ago.

The public’s response is crucial for UNRWA staff on the ground, who are helping refugees while they themselves are affected and displaced.

“The public support and solidarity gives our colleagues in Gaza the strength to continue working and delivering aid,” said Mr Amer.

First donors are eager to help

He said money is pouring in from new donors in the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Germany, the Philippines, India, parts of Africa and elsewhere.

Schools, student groups, consultancies, employee funds and restaurants are eager to do their part, he added.

Many people in Scandinavian countries, other parts of Europe and North America are keen to establish “Friends of UNRWA” committees that focus on advocacy and fundraising for the agency.

Streaming for Palestine

Musicians release songs in support of Palestine and donate all streaming proceeds to UNRWA. Mexican singer Marianina came up with From Palestine to Mexico in April. Canadian violinist Jessica Moss made her debut For UNRWA during a concert in Berlin in February.

Four-time Grammy Award-winning American rapper Macklemore is donating all streaming proceeds from his chart-topping hit to UNRWA Hinds Hal, which went viral on social media after its release in early May.

“Today we received our first royalty transfer, for $47,000,” said Jason Terry, UNRWA USA Director of Strategic Programs, UN News late last week. “We also received a personal donation from Macklemore earlier this year of $100,000.”

‘We all deserve freedom’

The song draws attention to the protests around the world to end the war in Gaza.

“We are grateful to Macklemore for his advocacy and his generous commitment to serving the people of Gaza in the months and years ahead,” said Mr. Terry. “His gifts are already helping us feed families and keep children healthy.”

The first frame of the harrowing video shows Columbia University in New York, where students set up tents to speak out against the war, sparking similar protests on campuses across the US and around the world.

Before the school dismantled the camp, Columbia students draped a flag over Hamilton Hall and renamed the iconic campus building “Hind’s Hall” in honor of the six-year-old Hind Rajabwho was killed in Gaza.

Macklemore has performed Hinds Hal during his current concert tour.

“I stand here today and every day moving forward for the rest of my life in solidarity with the people of Palestine, with an open heart in the belief that our collective freedom is at stake, that we all deserve freedom in this lifetime of ours,” the artist told his audience in Wellington, New Zealand, the day after he released the song.

Solidarity between Muslim communities

Muslims around the world have also been generous and have gone to great lengths to help. In 2023, donors provided $4.7 million to UNRWA’s Zakat program, in which people donate a portion of their wealth, in accordance with Islamic rule, to provide cash or food baskets to the poorest, most vulnerable Palestinian refugees.

Many private donations sent to the UN agency come from national or local NGOs. Germany-based Hasene International has given more than $5 million since the war began in October, including $2.7 million at the end of Julyto provide food, water and medicine for children, and money for their families.

Through the Rahmatan lil Alamin Foundation (RLAF), Singaporeans have donated $6.2 million. With the support of UNRWA’s dedicated staff, robust infrastructure and extensive facilities, the first tranche has already helped feed 123,000 displaced people in Gaza.

“RLAF is fortunate to work with great partners like UNRWA to ensure that aid is delivered to the innocent victims of war,” said Muhammad Faizal bin Othman, the foundation’s CEO.

After learning that the donation drive at her local mosque had ended, an elderly woman boarded a bus and several trains from her home to reach the RLAF office in northern Singapore. She handed over about $46, all in coins, collected from her family.

“Our employees were truly touched by her gesture,” said Mr. Faizal.

Lifeline of Hope

With the April-December emergency appeal, UNRWA is requesting US$1.21 billion to meet the most urgent humanitarian needs of 1.7 million of the most vulnerable refugees and non-refugees in Gaza and over 200,000 people in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

In an impressive show of solidarity and support, 118 governments, including all 15 Security Council members, endorsed an initiative of shared commitments to UNRWA during the commitment conference before the agency on July 12.

In their statement, governments stressed UNRWA’s indispensable role as a pillar of regional stability and a lifeline of hope and opportunity for millions of Palestinians in the region. They also recognized the grave humanitarian, political and security risks that would result from any interruption or suspension of its vital work.

“It comes at a critical time, because UNRWA “The agency is facing unprecedented attacks and systematic attempts to dismantle it,” said Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini.

“There is no alternative to UNRWA.”