Joint statement: Resumption of Swedish support to UNRWA

The humanitarian situation in Gaza is described as apocalyptic. It is merciless and the people in Gaza are suffering greatly, not least women and children. We view the developments with deep concern and frustration. Those people who escape the bombs and bullets risk dying from disease or malnutrition. So far, over 53,000 people have been killed and 930,000 children in Gaza live dangerously close to the brink of starvation. People have lost their homes, their loved ones and their security. There is a shortage of food, water, medicine and healthcare. Hospitals have been turned into morgues. At the same time, the violence continues and Israel has now launched an expanded military offensive in Gaza.

Handwashing stations being loaded onto trucks for delivery to Oxfam's warehouse in Bicester. Photo: Alan Turnbull / Oxfam

The level of violence against civilians in Gaza is very high compared to other conflicts. Israel and Hamas must respect the far-reaching obligations of humanitarian law to protect civilians, and hostages and Palestinian prisoners must be released immediately and unconditionally. At the same time, the world has a responsibility to act. This also applies to Sweden, which has both a legal and a moral obligation to act forcefully for the people of Gaza and for international law. Sweden has the opportunity to save lives and stand up for the humanitarian system.

We, the 5 undersigned organizations, all of whom are engaged in humanitarian work in Gaza, welcome the fact that the government has provided support to several international organizations that provide vital assistance to the civilian population. However, we regret that Sweden has stopped all Swedish assistance to UNRWA and would like to emphasize the importance of UNRWA. UNRWA's work is unique in its breadth and experience and in many cases constitutes a prerequisite for the activities of other actors. UNRWA has built up capacity, expertise and infrastructure over decades to both enable organizations to more effectively reach out with humanitarian aid, and to assist with functions such as healthcare and education in Gaza. This has previously been raised by 17 international humanitarian organizations on the ground in Gaza.

We appeal to the government to resume support to UNRWA as soon as possible and would like to emphasize why:

• UNRWA has long been the largest humanitarian actor in Gaza and has helped other organizations to work on the ground. They are the backbone of the humanitarian infrastructure in Gaza and no other single organization, including other UN agencies, can take over or replace UNRWA’s work. The situation for the civilian population in Gaza is catastrophic and donors and international actors must now act together to protect UNRWA’s vital operations. Without UNRWA, the humanitarian system in Gaza risks collapsing, leading to even more suffering and preventable death.

• Only Sweden and the United States have ended their aid to UNRWA, unlike Germany, the United Kingdom and France who have chosen to take a different path and stand up for UNRWA . Germany recently increased its allocation to UNRWA . Although other donors have increased their allocations to UNRWA, this does not cover the large deficit created when the United States and Sweden withdrew their support. In 2023, Sweden was the fifth largest donor to UNRWA, with support amounting to approximately 480 million kronor (48.8 million USD). A resumption of Swedish aid could make a big difference.

• The Israeli parliament’s passage of legislation banning UNRWA from operating* has limited and hampered the organization’s work. Despite this, UNRWA continues to carry out its mission in Gaza and the West Bank. Every day, its medical teams provide primary care to more than 16,000 people. Schools, clinics and shelters are still functioning, although most have been destroyed or converted under siege.

• When UNRWA's ability to help civilians deteriorates or stops altogether, the result is that more people, including many children, suffer and die. It also impairs the ability of us and other humanitarian organizations to effectively deliver the emergency aid needed to those living in the midst of an unimaginable disaster.

Signatories:

Mattias Brunander, Secretary General of Diakonia

Ylva Jonsson Strömberg, Secretary General of Doctors Without Borders Sweden

Suzanne Standfast, Secretary General of Oxfam Sweden

Mariann Eriksson, Secretary General of Plan International Sweden

Åsa Regnér, Secretary General of Save the Children

* Israel's ban on UNRWA's activities applies in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem