Australia will unpause its $6m in funding to the United Nation’s “life saving” aid agency in Gaza, a month after it suspended its support and amid growing concerns about the worsening humanitarian crisis.
A number of countries, including Australia, paused their funding to UNRWA last month after a number of staff were found to be linked to Hamas’ terrorist attacks on Israel.
On Friday, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said the government was satisfied that UNRWA itself was not a terrorist organisation, and that additional safeguards would “sufficiently protect” Australian taxpayer funding.
“There are two facts a responsible government can’t ignore in relation to UNRWA. They do life-saving work and the recent allegations were grave,” Senator Wong said.
“So the decision I am announcing today is the result of the Australian government working together with our partners to rebuild confidence, to establish ongoing diligence about the use of aid money generously given by the Australian people.”
Senator Wong also announced an additional $4m to UNICEF to provide urgent services, and $2m to an arm of the UN dedicated to facilitating expanded humanitarian access into Gaza.
Australia will also support efforts by Jordan and the UAE to assist with the delivery of “vital humanitarian aid” to civilians in Gaza, and would deliver 140 ADF aerial delivery parachutes for use in humanitarian assistance drops.
Senator Wong called on Israel to cooperate with efforts to allow more food and aid into Gaza “now”.
More to come .