Congress must restore humanitarian funding to stop famine in Gaza

The people of Gaza aren’t starving. They are being starved. 

Over 2 million Palestinian civilians are facing a man-made humanitarian catastrophe, with famine and disease spreading due to a lack of aid access. At the same time, the Biden administration and Congress are withholding all U.S. funding for the largest aid operation in Gaza: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

At a Sept. 19 press conference, Reps. Andre Carson (D-Ind.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) announced the introduction of the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act of 2024. This bill is a crucial step toward righting this wrong and addressing the appalling humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

UNRWA is the “backbone” of all aid delivery operations in Gaza, ensuring that millions of people receive the help they desperately need. Continuing to block U.S. funding for UNRWA’s vital work is a cruel and unwarranted mistake that will only needlessly exacerbate the already catastrophic humanitarian suffering in Gaza.

This legislation has already been cosponsored by more than 60 members of Congress and a diverse group of over 90 organizations. If passed, it would lift congressional restrictions on UNRWA funding and call on the administration to urgently lift its hold on funding.

The decision by the Biden administration and Congress to pause funding to UNRWA was a knee-jerk response to Israeli allegations in January that a dozen of the 13,000 UNRWA aid workers in Gaza were involved in Hamas’s horrific attacks on Oct. 7. As the facts continue to come in, it has become clear that the move was a rush to judgment with far-reaching, unjustifiable consequences.

Still, the UNRWA itself has shown that it takes these allegations seriously and is committed to maintaining integrity in its operations. In response to Israel’s allegations, UNRWA immediately fired all the accused employees that were identified. While as of April, Israel reportedly had not shared any evidence with the United Nations backing up its allegations, UNRWA has since let go of two additional employees after further internal review found “sufficient evidence” that nine total staff members may have had involvement in the Oct. 7 attack.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres also ordered an inspector general investigation and commissioned an independent, outside review of UNRWA’s mechanisms and procedures. UNRWA has since implemented all recommendations and continues to strengthen its oversight and accountability measures. 

For example, the agency has implemented a range of new protocols and initiatives to improve transparency and its ability to act swiftly against violations of its standard of neutrality. A new task force has also been created to oversee an action plan to address the report’s findings.

Moreover, all of the 15 other countries that initially suspended support to UNRWA have resumed funding. This includes key U.S. allies such as the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and Australia. As the largest contributor to UNRWA,  it’s crucial that the U.S. join these allies in restoring urgently needed funding.

Since the war broke out last October, Israeli airstrikes have decimated essential infrastructure in Gaza, displaced over 1 million Palestinians and pushed the population to the brink of famine. Hospitals are overwhelmed. Access to food, water, and medical supplies is nearly nonexistent as the U.N. warns of a looming polio epidemic.

For many in Gaza who face these relentless horrors each and every day, UNRWA is their only lifeline for support. After seven months, it’s clear that attempts to bypass UNRWA, such as the failed U.S. military humanitarian pier, are not serious alternatives for providing even a minimum level of relief to Gaza.

The impact of cutting U.S. funding also extends beyond Gaza. UNRWA provides essential shelter, healthcare, education and financial assistance to millions of other Palestinian refugees across the region, including in the West Bank, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. 

If UNRWA were forced to close its doors due to lack of funding, we could see even more regional instability and violence. The ripple effects would be felt far and wide, with potentially devastating consequences for U.S. national security.

Congress must act swiftly to get this done. Without this support, millions of Palestinian refugees will be left without access to food, healthcare and other basic necessities. This is not just a matter of humanitarian and strategic need. It’s a moral obligation.

Ultimately, the definitive path to address this crisis is an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and unrestricted humanitarian access. But these are just the first steps in what will be a challenging and prolonged rebuilding journey. 

Protecting the essential role of UNRWA, especially in providing primary healthcare and education, is vital for Gaza's future. Congress has the power to make this happen. Lawmakers must cosponsor the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act and take a stand for humanity, justice and peace.

Hassan El-Tayyab is the legislative director for Middle East policy at the Friends Committee on National Legislation.