50-Plus Nations Rally Behind UNRWA as €60M Gap Threatens Winter Services

Jordan, Spain, and Brazil convened foreign ministers and delegates from more than 50 countries to shore up political and financial support for UNRWA, even as the agency's acting chief described catastrophic conditions across Gaza and the West Bank. The ministerial yielded roughly $30 million in new pledges — but Acting Commissioner-General Christian Saunders warned the remaining deficit is still life-threatening, with winter approaching and basic supplies like engine oil blocked from entering Gaza.

• $30 million in new pledges narrow UNRWA's operating deficit to ~€60 million, but the gap remains critical heading into winter

• Spain announces additional €3 million, bringing its three-year total above €85 million; France, Germany, and Belgium also pledge new funds

• 2.1 million Gazans live in 30% of the territory; 90%+ shelter in tents or damaged buildings as 40,000 cubic meters of raw sewage flow daily into the Mediterranean

• Israel closes three West Bank refugee camps, displacing 33,000 Palestinians; UNRWA re-enrolls 4,500 children in second-shift schools

• Saunders discloses Washington trip, says he asked U.S. for "space to operate" — and received no response

• Acting chief rejects framing of the Board of Peace as a competitor, pledges UNRWA's 10,500-person workforce to help the new body succeed

Why it matters: UNRWA is the only UN agency providing direct services — healthcare, education, water, sanitation — to millions of Palestinian refugees. A funding collapse would leave no comparable institution to fill the gap, particularly in Gaza, where 2.1 million people depend on the agency for survival.