UNRWA faces funding crisis and service cuts for Palestinian refugees

UNRWA is facing severe operational and financial challenges that are impacting services for Palestinian refugees. In Lebanon, a significant funding shortage has led to the closure of schools, including the Al-Bireh school in Beirut and the Rafah school in Tripoli. Experts warn that the agency faces a budget gap of approximately $100 million for its 2026 core budget, exacerbated by political tensions and reduced international contributions.

In Egypt, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with UNRWA Acting Commissioner-General Christian Sondergaard to discuss the humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s full support for the agency, emphasizing its indispensable role in providing essential services. He also condemned Israeli violations against UNRWA facilities, such as the seizure of the Qalandia training center in East Jerusalem, and called for the safe and sustainable delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.