Gaza’s hardship is exacerbated by Sweden’s reduction in contributions for UNRWA

Gaza: Sweden’s decision to cease supporting the United Nations Relief and Works organization for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in 2025 was deemed unsatisfactory by Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the organization, who said it came at the worst possible moment for Palestinian refugees.

“The decision was made just one day after the members of the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a resolution supporting UNRWA,” Lazzarini stated in a press release.

“This is a sad day for Palestinian refugees and the multilateral system that Sweden has been a leader in,” he said, adding that Sweden has been a consistent and dependable partner to UNRWA, offering both political and financial assistance for decades.

Lazzarini cautioned that cutting off support for UNRWA would jeopardize decades of Swedish investments in human development, including the right to education for hundreds of thousands of local girls and boys.

He clarified that the decision would worsen the suffering of Gaza’s citizens, who have been suffering for the past 14 months. He expressed hope that the Swedish government would change its mind and uphold its longstanding solidarity by funding UNRWA’s human development and political solutions for Palestinian refugees.