New Zealand suspends funding to UN aid agency for Palestinians
Funding for the UNRWA is on hold until the release of a report on allegations including misconduct, corruption, links to terror groups, perpetuation of conflict and antisemitism.
The government of New Zealand has suspended funding to the United Nations’ aid agency for Palestinians.
The funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency is on hold until the release of the October report by the U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services on allegations against the agency including misconduct, corruption, links to terror groups, perpetuation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and antisemitism.
“We expect UNRWA to cooperate fully with the investigation under way and to report back on the investigation’s findings and recommendations,” the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement. “The Ministry will review the findings of the UN OIOS report once the investigation is complete and, after that point, will provide advice to the Minister of Foreign Affairs on future funding.”
From January to June, New Zealand provided nearly £1.4m ($1.6 million) to UNRWA.
Last month, the Netherlands and Switzerland announced the suspension of funding for UNRWA following a damning report alleging corruption at the organisation’s highest levels.
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