Canada confirms it will resume funding United Nations relief agency for Palestinians
CBC
The Canadian government has confirmed it will restore funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.
International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen confirmed the move at a press conference Friday in Mississauga, Ont.
Canada suspended funding to UNRWA in January after Israel alleged 12 employees of the aid agency were involved in some capacity in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
CBC News first reported on Tuesday that the government intended to resume funding after Ottawa received an interim report from the United Nations investigation of Israel's allegations.
A senior government official said that, based on the information in that interim report, the federal government was comfortable with resuming funding.
CBC News is not naming the source because they are not authorized to speak publicly about the decision.
"Canada has reviewed the interim report of the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) on this matter and looks forward to the final report," says a press release accompanying the announcement.
"While these investigative processes continue, UNRWA has taken immediate measures to strengthen oversight, accountability and transparency.
"UNRWA plays a vital role in Gaza, providing over 2 million people with humanitarian relief, in addition to its crucial operations supporting 4 million people elsewhere in the region."
Hussen told reporters that Canada is resuming funding to UNRWA in part because of the dire situation on the ground.
"Lives are at stake and this support simply cannot wait," said Hussen. "UNRWA forms the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza and in the region.
"We have been reassured by the contents of this interim report, but in addition to that, we've been reassured by the number of processes and steps that UNRWA itself has undertaken, as well as reforms introduced through the leadership of the UN secretary general."
After Israel alleged 12 UNRWA employees were involved in the Oct. 7 attack, the relief agency fired 10 of the accused employees. The two other accused employees were later confirmed dead, UNRWA said.
In addition to lifting the suspension on funding to UNRWA, the federal government is providing $100,000 in funding to a charity in Jordan for the purchase of supplies which will be delivered to Gazans, in part through Jordanian airdrops.
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