UNRWA: under threat while irreplaceable
JVL Introduction
This is a reminder that despite the progress with a ceasefire and hostage exchange, UNRWA’s operations are under imminent threat if Israel’s decision to stop it operating in any area under Israel’s control is implemented, as planned, at the end of January 2025. This is the speech given by Marilyn Garson of Alternative Jewish Voices in Wellington, Aoteoroa New Zealand, on 22nd January 2025. Below that is her article outlining why UNRWA is so vital. If you have not already alerted your Member of Parliament to try to stop this heinous decision being implemented, then please do so now. Her calls for actions apply to all of us wherever we are.
Gaza needs UNRWA now and and will need it for the years of reconstruction ahead not least because it is the only agency with the experience and capacity necessary to coordinate rebuilding of much of the physical and social infrastructure; to plan for and deliver much of the education and psychosocial support that will be essential, especially for the traumatised children throughout Gaza. Of course, there are other excellent organisations, such as the Gaza Mental Health Foundation and other vital local organisations, but even the large international NGOs such as Save the Children say that UNRWA’s work is essential.
LL
This article was originally published by Sh'ma Koleinu Alternative Jewish Voices (Aoteoroa /New Zealand) on Wed 22 Jan 2025. Read the original here.
What's So Special About UNRWA?
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Stefanik at the UN called UNWRA ‘a terrorist organisation’ – the poison dripping from her saliva like a Cobra . We know who are the terrorists, for as she spoke, the ONLY people giving any succour to starving, sick and traumatised grieving Palestinians are food workers and medics from UNWRA.
UNWRA is special in the work it has the ability and expertise to carry out, this is why the Israeli government has banned it. A genocide needs the complete exclusion of any outside publicity and help, hence the targeting of Journalists and medics not just in the present and continuing attempt to kill all Palestinians but for decades. Lobbying our politicians will have little effect it seems as they are tied to the pockets of the USA and Financial organisations and have been since WW2. The only solution is for UNWRA to become an administrative body delegating its efforts to other organisations who also have expertise and probably more because of the specialisation of their services, but in disparate areas. UNWRA must evolve and provide funding to the organisations still allowed to operate and do it quickly before Israel can realise what is happening. we can of course try to influence our politicians but this will take too long. Aid is needed now and UNWRA should work quickly behind the scenes with other Charitable Organisations such as Oxfam and Medicine sans frontiers and the Red Crescent to make sure the aid is getting distributed there and information gathered to enable some immediate action on shelter water and sewage. These are the essentials for the preservation of life.
Looking at Videos of the conditons in the tent camps it seems obvious that nothing was being done about drainage of surface water or of organisation of rainwater collection. there will be people in organisations such as Oxfam who have expertise in these primitive essentials.