PRESS RELEASE : The UK is committed to getting humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza who desperately need it: UK statement at the UN Security Council [March 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 March 2024.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN General Assembly meeting on UNRWA.

Thank you, President. The UK reaffirms UNRWA’s role in providing essential services to Palestinian refugees as mandated by the UN General Assembly since 1949, both in Gaza and across the region.

In particular, we note that UNRWA is the main provider of essential health and education services, and humanitarian relief to two million people in desperate need in Gaza.

Over one million people, displaced people, are sheltering in UNRWA buildings including schools, and UNRWA is providing food support to over a million people.

UNRWA staff are operating under the most challenging circumstances at considerable risk to themselves.

And we recognise the tragic loss of life of 158 UNRWA staff to date in this conflict.

We pay tribute to them and offer condolences to their families.

The UK also recognises the essential role that UNRWA plays in basic service provision and humanitarian relief in the region; as well as their support to some four million Palestinians in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon – thereby supporting stability across the region.

Following the allegations by Israel that 12 staff members were involved in the attacks on Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK Government has repeatedly condemned, the UK has paused any future funding of UNRWA in line with other donors.

I commend the quick and decisive action taken by the UN, including the launch of two independent investigations.

We look forward to seeing the interim reports and want UNRWA to set out a clear plan of action and commitments that address findings to ensure real change.

I reiterate that the UK remains committed to getting humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza who desperately need it.  We are working with our partners to try and bring this situation to a rapid conclusion – not least because UNRWA has a vital role to play in providing aid and services in Gaza, and the wider region.

I thank you.