US exit: Arab states, private US funders, and a few European donors nearly closed UNRWA’s financing gap last year

January 20, 2025 / By: Ann Danaiya Usher

EXCLUSIVE: Several Western donors, led by the United States, reduced their support to UNRWA last year by USD 450 million - or one-third of the budget - but Gulf states and others, including private US donors, closed most of this funding gap, an analysis of donor contributions in 2024 obtained by Development Today shows. Looking ahead, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees faces huge financing challenges, compounded by uncertainty about its role in Gaza as the ceasefire takes effect.

UNRWA Lazzarini at Global Alliance Oslo Jan 15 2025.jpg — UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini (left), Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide at last week's meeting of the Global Alliance on the Implementation of the Two-State Solution in Oslo (Photo: UNRWA)

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