Japan to Resume UNRWA Funding After Addressing Transparency Concerns
Japan is set to resume funding for the UN's Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, after pausing it following allegations that Hamas attackers were among the agency's employees in Gaza.
Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa met with UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini in Tokyo to discuss measures to strengthen governance and transparency.
The two parties have agreed to finalize coordination for Japan's contribution to resume.
Japanese media reported that the suspension of funding for UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) in Gaza, which was lifted in January, was expected to resume in the first half of April.
This funding suspension has put UNRWA's aid efforts in Gaza at risk, as the UN has warned of an impending famine in the region.
However, some countries, including Australia, Canada, and Sweden, have announced that they will resume aid this month.
UNRWA has stated that it has enough funds to operate until at least the end of May. The Japanese government suspended funding due to concerns over transparency and neutrality of UNRWA staff, but Israel has not provided any evidence to support these claims.
The UN has launched both an internal and independent investigation into the matter.