GENEVA: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) said on Wednesday that a severe financial crisis has forced it to terminate 571 employees outside Gaza. The affected staff had previously worked in the Gaza Strip but had left the territory following the outbreak of conflict in October 2023.
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A UNRWA spokesperson described the layoffs as a “dire” measure and said the terminations were effective immediately. The agency, which has supported Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria for over seven decades, relies heavily on voluntary contributions to fund its operations.
UNRWA faced an unprecedented funding shortfall last year, receiving only around $570 million in contributions against an operational cost of $880 million. Officials warned that the agency expects a significant financial gap in 2026, raising concerns about the continuity of its essential services for refugees.
The crisis has coincided with mounting Israeli criticism and attacks on the agency, further complicating its efforts to secure stable funding. UNRWA stressed that the layoffs only affected staff who were able to leave Gaza early, leaving frontline personnel in the territory largely in place to continue vital services.
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The agency’s spokesperson said the organization continues to appeal for international support to prevent further disruptions and maintain essential humanitarian programs. Without urgent funding, UNRWA warned that it could face additional reductions in staff and services, which would directly impact millions of Palestinian refugees dependent on education, health care, and social support.
UNRWA has repeatedly called on member states and donors to meet their commitments, emphasizing that the financial crisis threatens decades of humanitarian work and the wellbeing of vulnerable communities in the region.