The United Nations has raised immense concern over the financial shortfall that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is facing and its impact on millions of registered Palestinian refugees.

In his daily press briefing on Tuesday, Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the UN Secretary‑General, said that UNRWA’s Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini has told the Agency’s Advisory Board that the Agency still desperately needs $70 million in contributions to avoid painful measures in the coming weeks and to limit the amount of liabilities carried over into 2021. 

He quoted Lazzarini as stating that if UNRWA does not secure the funds for November and December salaries, the Agency will continue to lack the cash needed to operate in January, according to the currently available information on 2021 contributions.

“UNRWA this year faces a shortfall of $115 million — including the $70 million which is needed to cover November and December salaries of over 28,000 staff”, said Dujarric in his daily press briefing. “The Commissioner‑General was compelled last week to secure an additional $20 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to help with cash flow and cover part of the November payroll.” 

He added that, based on funds available, UNRWA will decide later this week if it proceeds with partial payment of salaries at the end of the month or delays full payment. 

With decreased contributions by several donors, UNRWA’s funding in 2020 is the lowest the Agency has had since 2012, while the needs of refugees are huge, especially, obviously, with the socioeconomic impact of COVID‑19.