UN agency for Palestinian refugees chief says funding forecast for 2025 'grim'

GENEVA

Facing a current budget shortfall, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) on Monday pointed to a “grim” funding outlook for next year.

Philippe Lazzarini told a press briefing in Geneva that there is a $80 million budget gap between now and the end of the year.

"The forecast for 2025 is very uncertain, looks a little bit grim, because a number of donors have indicated that they will enter an austerity budget as from 2025," he said.

He called on UN member states to push back the numerous attacks on the agency’s reputation.

Asked about the late Fateh Sharif, who Hamas had named its leader in Lebanon, the UNRWA chief confirmed that Sharif was formerly on the agency's staff but that earlier this year he was put under investigation and suspended from the agency due to allegations that surfaced in March.

Lazzarini said his “first decision” about Sharif was to suspend him and launch an investigation.

His remarks came after Monday's announcement by Hamas that Sharif was killed in an Israeli airstrike on his home in the El-Buss refugee camp in southern Lebanon.

Rebuffing reports that Sharif had been reinstated, Lazzarini said: "Completely wrong. I never reinstated him. On the contrary, I reiterated that he remained suspended and under investigation."

Lazzarini also addressed wider concerns after receiving from Israel a list of 100 UNRWA staff members allegedly linked to Hamas.

"We immediately responded, saying we take it seriously. But a list alone is not proof of anything," he said, adding that the agency asked for more information to substantiate the claims and to evaluate if there is an element for an investigation but "no response was ever received."

He stressed that the UNRWA does not have police or intelligence investigation capabilities, but shares all relevant names and information with authorities.

He concluded by stressing that the UNRWA adheres to the rule of law and would take appropriate action based on the investigation’s findings.