Guterres condemns ‘disinformation, smear campaigns’ against Palestinian refugee agency as 390 staff killed in Gaza since October 2023
Secretary-General António Guterres issued a stark warning on Tuesday that the UN agency for Palestinian refugees is approaching a “breaking point,” urging member states to immediately close a $100 million funding gap or risk the collapse of an organization that serves as a lifeline for millions across the Middle East.
Speaking at the UNRWA Pledging Conference in New York, Guterres painted a devastating picture of conditions across the region, describing living situations in Gaza as “utterly appalling” — with unexploded ordnance, open sewers, rodent infestations, disease outbreaks, and soaring temperatures compounding the misery of widespread displacement.
“Families struggle to access safety, shelter, food, clean drinking water, education, and healthcare,” Guterres said. “Many are still sleeping out in the open or going to bed hungry”.
‘Stabilizing force in an age of instability’
The Secretary-General emphasized UNRWA’s indispensable role, calling the agency “a stabilizing force in an age of instability”. He noted that the agency provides critical services to 2.6 million people in need across Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria — offering aid, schooling, healthcare, social services, and shelter.
“The cash shortfall has grave implications for the entire region,” Guterres warned. “UNRWA is a stabilizing force in an age of instability: registering, protecting, and assisting highly vulnerable populations. And countering the hopelessness that can fuel insecurity”.
Despite painful austerity measures, the agency faces a deficit of **$100 million** that prevents it from meeting its current obligations. In 2025, UNRWA received approximately $829 million in contributions — accounting for just 27% of its total funding needs of $3.3 billion.
The agency has already been forced to reduce service delivery by 20% this year, cutting salaries for local personnel and keeping 15% of international posts vacant. “Any further cuts could push conditions past the breaking point,” Guterres said.
‘Appalled’ by attacks on UNRWA
The Secretary-General forcefully condemned what he described as systematic efforts to undermine the agency through “disinformation, smear campaigns, legislative actions, operational restrictions, diplomatic roadblocks and more”.
“Those actions threaten the wellbeing of millions of Palestinians,” Guterres said. “And they endanger the dedicated women and men working for UNRWA”.
Since October 2023, 390 UNRWA personnel have been killed in Gaza. Every single agency premises in the strip has been damaged or destroyed. Earlier this year, UNRWA’s headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem were unlawfully seized in what the agency described as a violation of UN privileges and immunities.
The agency’s mandate — renewed by the General Assembly six months ago with overwhelming member state support — enables the provision of critical services to millions in need and “reflects the international community’s continuing responsibility towards Palestine refugees”.
Reform efforts and international response
Guterres noted that UNRWA has taken decisive steps to implement reforms, updating its policy on outside and political activities following Israel’s accusations that some staff were involved in the October 7, 2023, attack. An investigation by the UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services found that nine UNRWA employees “may have been involved,” while no or insufficient evidence was found against the other ten accused staff members.
The United States, UNRWA’s largest donor, cut funding in January 2024 following the allegations. Sweden also cut its 2025 funding, though most other donors have resumed their contributions.
In a positive development, Pakistan announced it would enhance its financial contribution to the agency this year. Ambassador Usman Jadoon, Pakistan’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, called Israeli legislation targeting UNRWA “illegal” and demanded it be rescinded.
“We condemn the raids and seizures of UNRWA premises and reject any measure designed to erode its mandate or operational integrity,” the Pakistani envoy said.
‘Now, not next year’
Concluding his address, Guterres made an impassioned plea for immediate action.
“I’m counting on you to keep speaking up for the agency and all those it serves,” he told member states. “Your political support is crucial, but I urge you to match it with the necessary financial resources. Not next year, not next months, now”.
“By sustaining UNRWA’s vital work, we can address the needs of Palestine refugees today, uphold international responsibility, and help a volatile region find its way to a just and peaceful future”.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the results of the ad hoc meeting on voluntary contributions to UNRWA would be announced on Wednesday.
