Over 5.9 million Palestinian refugees at risk as UNRWA faces funding cuts
The potential loss of support endangered critical resources and threatened the well-being of millions who depend on UNRWA for essential services.
SHAH ALAM - More than 5.9 million Palestinian refugees face deepening hardships if the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) ceases its support, exacerbating the challenges for Palestinians both within and outside of Palestine.
Palestinian Ambassador to Malaysia Walid Abu Ali emphasised that these refugees, dispersed across over 56 camps in Gaza, the West Bank, Jerusalem and neighbouring countries like Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, rely heavily on UNRWA’s services.
He added the potential loss of support endangered critical resources and threatened the well-being of millions who depend on UNRWA for essential services.
“The recent legislation passed by the Israeli Knesset against the UNRWA is deeply condemned by us, by our government and by our people.
“We urge the international community to stand with Palestine and support the Palestinian people against these actions by the Israeli regime,” he said when met at the Palestinian Embassy in Taman U Thant, here recently.
He pointed out that UNRWA was established 67 years ago with the primary mission of providing essential services, including education and healthcare to Palestinian refugees.
Walid said that over the years, millions of Palestinians have benefited from UNRWA’s support, developing professional expertise in fields such as medicine, engineering and education.
“Palestinian doctors, engineers and educators, trained in UNRWA schools, contribute their skills both within Palestinian territories and abroad,” he added.
He further stated that Palestinians’ struggle for their right of return was grounded in international law, despite Israel's opposition and the support it received from powerful allies.
Walid stressed that refugees residing in camps across Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Palestine would continue their fight for freedom and the right to live in an independent Palestinian state.
He warned that if UNRWA’s services were cut off, the suffering of these refugees, both within Palestine and beyond, would only intensify.
He also urged the Malaysian government and people to maintain their unwavering support for Palestine.
Highlighting Malaysia’s consistent commitment to the cause, Walid expressed hope that as the country assumes the Asean presidency in 2025, it would use its influence to further rally regional support for Palestine.
“We call on the international community to view this crisis with fairness and demand justice for the Palestinians.
“The atrocities committed by the Israeli regime must be acknowledged and stopped, and those responsible should be held accountable for the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people,” he said.
