UNRWA: Sweden’s decision to halt funding ‘disappointing’, doubles suffering of people in Gaza

Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini expressed on Friday that the decision of the Swedish government to stop funding UNRWA in 2025: “Is disappointing and comes at the worst time for Palestine Refugees. The decision is one day after the members of the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a resolution in support of UNRWA.”

“Sweden has been a reliable longstanding partner to UNRWA providing both political and financial support for decades,” he added, noting: “This is a sad day for Palestine Refugees and the multilateral system which Sweden has spearheaded.”

Sweden’s decision to stop funding comes as: “UNRWA is under unprecedented politically driven attacks, including through the use of disinformation. The attacks aim at stripping the Palestinians from their refugee status,” Lazzarini said.

Lazzarini warned that the cessation of funding for UNRWA would undermine decades of Sweden’s investment in human development, including depriving hundreds of thousands of girls and boys in the region of their right to education: “For the people of Gaza, this decision will double their suffering endured over the past 14 months since the horrendous Hamas attack on 7 October and the ongoing war.”

The commissioner-general went on to say: “I hope the Government of Sweden will reconsider its decision and pursue its longstanding solidarity by investing in both a political solution and the human development of Palestine Refugees through UNRWA.”

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