Head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) representative office in Cairo Sahar al-Jobury has issued a stark warning that the agency could face a complete operational collapse by the end of August unless urgent financial support is secured.
Speaking during a joint session of the Tripartite Mechanism — a coordination platform comprising the Arab League, the African Union, and the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation — al-Jobury revealed that UNRWA is grappling with a funding shortfall exceeding $200 million, according to the Middle East News Agency (MENA).
She described the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip as one of “total collapse” amid continued bombardment, blockade, and critical shortages of food and medical supplies.
Despite these dire conditions, more than 12,000 UNRWA staff continue to deliver essential services in Gaza, even after many have lost their homes and loved ones, she said adding that the agency has been unable to deliver aid since March 2 and is facing acute shortages of fuel and clean water, severely hampering its ability to operate.
The meeting called for urgent international action to support UNRWA and address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
