Statement by Denmark at the UNRWA Pledging Conference 12 July 2024

Check Against Delivery

Mr. Secretary-General, Chair, Excellences, Colleagues,

At a time of immense civilian suffering, enormous loss of life and the majority of Gaza’s population facing high levels of acute food insecurity, UNRWA has continued to play an indispensable role since Hamas’ deplorable terrorist attack on 7 October.

Denmark deplores the number of humanitarian workers who have been killed during this crisis. We call on all parties to protect humanitarian workers, civilians as well as civilian infrastructure in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law. Once again, we convey our deepest condolences for the UNRWA staff who have been killed while saving the lives of others. Their memory and invaluable work must not be forgotten and should be restated here today, where we renew our commitments to UNRWA. 

Recognizing that UNRWA remains the main lifeline for almost two million civilians in Gaza, Denmark has continued its annual core funding of 15 million USD and made additional contributions in 2023 of approx. 10 million USD to UNRWA. Two weeks ago, on 26 June, Denmark announced an additional humanitarian package to Gaza including a contribution of approx. 4.3 million USD to UNRWA.

In addition to being the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza, UNRWA plays a crucial and stabilizing role in the West Bank and the wider region. The current financial situation of UNRWA is critical and unsustainable. There is a need for more predictable and flexible funding to ensure a robust and efficient UNRWA. We hope this pledging conference today will be a step towards this aim.

It is equally important that all restrictions on UNRWA’s ability to perform its critical functions in line with its mandate are lifted. Denmark, along with the EU, reiterates the urgent calls for an immediate ceasefire, release of all hostages, and the full, safe and unhindered provision of aid in Gaza. At the same time, Denmark continues its unwavering commitment to lasting peace on the basis of the two-state solution.

On a final note, and following the allegations directed towards UNRWA earlier this year, Denmark welcomed the prompt response by the Secretary-General as well as the Commissioner General of UNRWA. We have also expressed our support for the Commissioner General’s commitment to implement the recommendations by the Independent Review Group, and we have extended our support to the implementation process. It is critically important that UNRWA comes out of the past months as a strengthened and modernised agency and is able to restore trust in the organisation. Denmark will do what is in within our abilities to assist this transformation.

I thank you.