Denmark says it will not stop funding UN agency for Palestinian refugees

By Ebad Ahmed

PRAGUE (AA) – Denmark confirmed on Friday that it will not withdraw funding from the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), citing concerns that doing so would "accelerate a humanitarian" crisis in the Gaza Strip.

Denmark will continue to provide financial assistance to UNRWA as scheduled in March, local broadcaster DR News reported, citing Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen.

“UNRWA is the organization in Gaza that has the ability to ensure the civilian population just a decent living,” the broadcaster quoted Rasmussen as saying.

"We are talking about water, about health clinics and the possibility of vaccinating children. It is a catastrophic situation in Gaza, and if you cut the legs of UNRWA, you will accelerate a humanitarian conflict,” he said.

He warned that collective punishment of Gaza residents is not a viable solution to the region's complex crisis.

"It's quite terrible, but now it's not like we normally have a principle of collective punishment. We are talking about an organization that has about 30,000 employees – 13,000 are in Gaza," he said.

The minister said the countries that have suspended funding for UNRWA have already committed to providing financial assistance to the organization for this year.

He believed that Their response to the Israeli allegation was mere “political signaling.”

Earlier in the day, Rasmussen warned during a meeting with his counterparts from the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, and France that if UNRWA fails, the crisis in Gaza will explode.

In a tweet from his official account, he stated: “constructive meeting with Netherlands, Sweden, Germany and France ministers on how to restore trust in UNRWA,” adding, “all allegations against UNWRA staff must be thoroughly investigated.”