The Holy See has renewed its support for humanitarian relief efforts serving Palestinian refugees, warning that preventing aid from reaching civilians in Gaza violates international humanitarian law and deepens an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly’s Ad Hoc Committee for the Announcement of Voluntary Contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the Holy See reaffirmed its financial commitment to the agency while urging nations to protect humanitarian workers and ensure aid reaches those in need.
According to Vatican News, the Holy See described UNRWA as an “essential lifeline” for millions of Palestinian refugees who depend on the agency for education, healthcare, food assistance, and social services. The statement emphasized that the agency provides not only material support but also “the opportunity to live with dignity.”
The Holy See also condemned attacks that have affected UNRWA personnel and facilities, including schools and shelters housing civilians. It called for humanitarian workers and infrastructure to be protected and insisted that relief supplies, especially in Gaza, must be allowed to reach vulnerable populations without interference.
According to the Holy See’s statement, “Such acts exacerbate the suffering of those already living in precarious conditions and constitute a grave violation of international humanitarian law.”
The appeal comes as humanitarian conditions throughout Gaza remain severe. According to Vatican News, despite a ceasefire announced in late 2025, violence has continued while aid organizations report ongoing restrictions on humanitarian access, widespread damage to civilian infrastructure, and shortages of funding. The report notes that more than 70 percent of Gaza’s population now relies on trucked water, while shelter, healthcare, and sanitation needs remain critical.
The Holy See also expressed concern about UNRWA’s financial stability. According to Vatican News, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the agency is nearing a “breaking point” because of an approximately $100 million funding shortfall. Despite budget reductions and austerity measures, UNRWA continues serving millions of Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
As part of its address, the Holy See announced it would renew its financial contribution to UNRWA, calling the pledge “a concrete expression of solidarity with Palestinian refugees and confidence in the Agency’s humanitarian mission.”
The statement further stressed that UNRWA requires “adequate, predictable and sustainable support” to continue fulfilling its mission. It also reaffirmed that the agency’s work should remain grounded in the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence.
Concluding its remarks, the Holy See urged continued international support for UNRWA and emphasized that any decisions regarding the agency’s future should remain within the framework established by the United Nations General Assembly, which created the organization in 1949, rather than through unilateral action.
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