Denmark confirmed on Friday that it would not withdraw funding from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), citing concerns that doing so would accelerate the “humanitarian” crisis in the Gaza Strip.
Denmark will continue funding UNRWA as planned in March, local broadcaster DR News reported, citing Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen.
“UNRWA is an organization in Gaza that is capable of guaranteeing a decent life for civilians,” the broadcaster quoted Rasmussen as saying.
“We are talking about water, clinics and the possibility of vaccinating children. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic, and cutting off UNRWA’s legs will accelerate the humanitarian conflict.” he said.
He warned that collective punishment of Gazans is not a viable solution to the region’s complex crisis.
“This is pretty bad, but now we don’t usually have the principle of collective punishment. We’re talking about an organization with about 30,000 employees, 13,000 of whom are from Gaza. “I’m in there,” he said.
He said countries that have suspended funding to UNRWA have already committed to funding the organization this year.
He believed that their response to Israel’s claims was merely a “political signal.”
Earlier in the day, Rasmussen warned at a meeting with officials from the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany and France that the crisis in Gaza would explode if UNRWA failed.
In a tweet on his official account, he said, “I will hold a constructive meeting with the Dutch, Swedish, German and French ministers on how to restore confidence in UNRWA,” adding, “All allegations against UNWRA staff will be thoroughly investigated.” “It needs to be done,” he added.