Misereor is calling on Germany to vote in favour of extending the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in tomorrow's vote at the UN General Assembly. Germany must fulfil its responsibility in the area of international aid and international humanitarian law. At the same time, it is vital to provide financial support for the population in Palestine and the refugee camps in neighbouring countries.
Despite the recommendation to extend the UNRWA mandate by the Fourth Commission of the UN General Assembly on 19 November, Germany has not yet agreed to this. The decisive vote in plenary is now due tomorrow, 5 December: "In view of the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, it would be fatal if Germany were to refuse to approve the extension again tomorrow. Following the decision to resume supplying weapons to Israel, Germany would also be withdrawing support from those who can alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian population. Germany must abide by international agreements and strengthen the role of the United Nations. Furthermore, a mere extension of the mandate is not enough - it must be accompanied by sufficient financial support to maintain the organisation's public services," demands Dorothee Klüppel, Head of the Africa/Middle East Department at Misereor.
UNRWA supplies are still being blocked - winter is imminent
Against the backdrop of the extremely fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the impending winter with an increased need for aid and insufficient access for international aid organisations, the extension of UNRWA's mandate is particularly important. According to UNRWA, the organisation has enough food to supply the entire population of the Gaza Strip for three months, but deliveries are still being blocked. While over 500 lorries a day are needed in Gaza, only just over 100 lorries a day are currently crossing the border.
Germany abstained from the preliminary vote on the mandate extension, citing "insufficient implementation" of the Colonna report on strengthening UNRWA's neutrality and alleged "cooperation" with actors who have turned against Israel. However, UNRWA is consistently implementing the report's recommendations - also thanks to direct support from the German government. Independent audits, including by the US National Intelligence Council and the highest monitoring body of the United Nations, confirm the neutrality of the organisation.
Since it was founded in 1949, UNRWA has provided services for around 5.9 million Palestinian refugees in the Palestinian territories and neighbouring countries. The organisation provides basic services such as education, healthcare and social support - services that are essential for the survival and dignity of the Palestinian population.
