An international report refutes the claims of the Israeli occupation entity about UNRWA

Vienna-(ST)- An independent review of the performance of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) confirmed that the agency, which is the lifeline of many Palestinians, adhered to the principle of neutrality in its humanitarian work in the occupied Palestinian territories, refuting the claims of the Israeli occupation entity that was seeking to put an end to the agency’s work.

During a press conference at the United Nations headquarters, the head of the committee, former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, said that “UNRWA plays a role that cannot be replaced or dispensed with in the region,” adding that “in the absence of a political solution, UNRWA provides life-saving humanitarian aid and basic services to the population, in addition to providing “It plays a vital role in the humanitarian response in Gaza.”

Colonna referred to the mechanisms and measures established by UNRWA to ensure its commitment to the principle of neutrality, expressing her confidence that their implementation will help UNRWA fulfill its mandate.

For his part, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, expressed his acceptance of the recommendations contained in the report and agreed with the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, that UNRWA, with the support of the Secretary-General, will develop an action plan to implement the recommendations contained in the final report, which was issued under the title “An independent review of mechanisms and procedures to ensure UNRWA’s commitment according to the principle of humanitarian neutrality.”

For his part, Lazzarini welcomed the results and recommendations of the Independent Review Group’s report regarding the agency’s commitment to the humanitarian principle of neutrality, and affirmed the agency’s firm commitment to applying United Nations values and humanitarian principles.

Lazzarini added, “Maintaining the agency’s neutrality is essential to our ability to continue saving lives and contributing to the human development of Palestine refugees in the Gaza Strip at a time when it is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, and in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan.”

In response to UNRWA’s request, in consultation with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini earlier, Guterres appointed an independent group to conduct a review of the agency’s work, led by Catherine Colonna, the former French Foreign Minister, to assess whether UNRWA is doing everything in its power to ensure its neutrality.

Colonna worked with 3 research organizations: “Raoul Wallenberg Institute” in Sweden “Michelsen Institute” in Norway And the Danish Institute for Human Rights.

Hanan Shamout