Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip have rejected what they said was a decision issued by the Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to freeze recruitment due to a lack of funding.
In a statement issued yesterday, the National and Islamic Forces Group said: “UNRWA’s decision to freeze jobs in its sectors, especially the important ones, is unacceptable and rejected.”
The group, which includes several organisations including Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, added: “UNRWA’s intention to reduce the health sector services and limit them to primary care will require the cancellation of some important departments, such as physiotherapy, radiology, dental and others, and will consequently end the jobs of the relevant specialists, which is a humanitarian catastrophe.”
The statement pointed out that “the cuts will affect sectors related to the basic essentials a citizen needs, such as education, health and services.”
“What will the fate of thousands of graduates be after the decision to freeze jobs comes into effect? And what will the future of the students and patients look like?”
UNRWA employs about 500 teachers at the start of each year.
The statement revealed that the factions intend to hold a series of peaceful protests in an attempt to force UNRWA to retreat from its decisions and to put pressure on donor countries to fulfil their obligations.
Local media outlets recently published information that UNRWA intends to freeze its recruitment drive across its five areas of operation; the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.
The media reports said: “The decision to stop recruiting comes within the austerity policy pursued by UNRWA because of the financial deficit it suffers from, which is estimated at $100 million, and in light of the failure of its donors to fulfil their commitments.”
UNRWA has not issued any statement regarding the report.
In an exclusive interview with the Anadolu Agency, an official UNRWA source in Gaza refused to either confirm or deny the reports.
Previously, UNRWA said it suffers from a lack of funding which prevents it from providing financial aid to the Palestinians.
UNRWA assumes the responsibility of more than five million Palestinian refugees who are registered with it and are living in Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
According to the United Nations, nearly 1.3 million refugees live in the Gaza Strip, 914,000 in the West Bank, 447,000 in Lebanon, 2.1 million in Jordan, and 500,000 in Syria.