Sweden and Canada were two of 16 countries that stopped donating due to Israel's accusation of UNRWA staff's involvement in Hamas' 7 October attack.
Canada's Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen on Friday (8/3) announced the resumed funding for UNRWA, right after receiving a report from the UN about Israel's allegation. Meanwhile, Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssel on Saturday (9/3) announced the country granted 200 million Krona (around US$20 million) after UNRWA agreed to be more transparent on the expenses of their staff.
Israel welcomed the two nation's announcement with condemnation. But, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini was optimistic that more counties would resume the funding sooner or later.
UNRWA employed around 30,000 people in occupied territories of Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria, with some 13,000 in Gaza.
Funding cessation against this agency was a collective punishment imposed by donor countries against the people of Palestine, especially those living in Gaza. Apart from proven-or-not allegations of UNRWA staff's involvement in the Hamas attack, the already-suffering people of Gaza should not bear the same punishment.
Indonesia "regretted" that and hoped the situation would improve with the resumed funding to UNRWA.
For the people of Palestine, UNRWA - formed in 1949 - played a key role in providing refugee camps, medical and social services, education, and rescue during the crisis. This agency is actively helping Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, East Jerusalem, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria.
UNRWA's operational fund in 2022 was US$1.17 billion. Some 90 percent of it was donated by UN member countries, with the US, Germany, and the European Union being the biggest donors. Despite being known as Israel's close friend, in 2022, the US still granted US$340 million to UNRWA.
The support for UNRWA was needed not only by the hunger-threatened people of Palestine but also for rehab after the destruction caused by Israel.
In line with the resumed funding, an open, transparent, and credible investigation of UNRWA staff's alleged involvement in the October 7 attack must continue.