Canada resumes funding for UNRWA

Toronto (Canada), March 8 (IF). – Canada announced on Friday that it will resume funding for the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) after reviewing the interim report on the organization's possible links to Hamas and the October 7 attack against Israel.

The Canadian government, which was the second government after the United States to suspend its funding to UNRWA on January 26 in the wake of Israel's allegations, indicated that in light of the organization's “robust investigative process” and the procedures in place, “Canada will resume its funding.”

“We are reassured by the content of this interim report. We are also reassured by the number of operations and measures adopted by UNRAW itself as well as by the reforms implemented thanks to the leadership of the UN Secretary-General,” said the UN Secretary-General. – Canadian Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussein explained the year in a press conference.

Following allegations by Israel that twelve of UNRWA's approximately 30,000 employees were connected to the 7 October attack, the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) launched an investigation to determine the veracity of these allegations.

In addition, former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna is conducting an independent investigation into UNRWA's overall performance, which has been called into question by Israel for years.

Hussein revealed on Friday that Canada has received the interim report of the Office of Internal Oversight Services investigation, the final version of which will be released in the coming days.

The Canadian minister added that the serious humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip also prompted the Canadian government to resume its financial support to UNRWA.

In addition, Canada said it would provide $100,000 to Jordan to purchase food and other essential items that would be dropped by the Royal Hashemite Air Force over the Gaza Strip.

The Canadian Armed Forces will deliver about 300 cargo parachutes to the Jordanian Air Force.

The Canadian government added in a statement, “Airdrops are in no way a substitute for deliveries by land or sea. Canada continues to request more points of entry, increased access, protection of humanitarian workers, and a humanitarian ceasefire.”