The new head of the UN department supporting millions of Palestinian refugees says he plans to use the "overwhelming political support" around the world to save the cash-strapped agency.
In his first English language interview since taking office on April 1, UN Relief and Works Agency Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini told The National that he needed to rebuild trust with donors.
Mr Lazzarini said the agency needed to move past a damaging management crisis, meet the aspirations of Palestinians and help in the fight against coronavirus.
He inherits an agency under a dark cloud after the abrupt departure of his predecessor.
Mr Lazzarini's agency, maligned by the Israeli government as an unnecessary relic, also faces pressure from a White House that has axed hundreds of millions in funding.
The administration of US President Donald Trump has described the agency as "irredeemably flawed", but Mr Lazzarini said he remained optimistic of its future and that ceasing operations was "not an option".
Despite US lobbying, the UN member states overwhelmingly voted at the end of 2019 to extend the mandate of UNRWA for another three years. Only the US and Israel voted against it.
Mr Lazzarini said the support shown during the vote demonstrated that the international community regarded the UNRWA as crucial.
-
A Palestinian worker carries sacks of flour distributed by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in Gaza City. AP -
A Palestinian man wearing a protective mask sorts food aid provided by UNRWA to be delivered to refugee homes at the Al Shati camp in Gaza city. AFP -
A Palestinian loads a cart with aid food provided by the UN's World Food Programme and its agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, in the Gaza Strip's Al Shati refugee camp. AFP -
Members of the medical staff at UNRWA prepare prescription medicines to deliver to Palestinian refugees in their homes at Amman New camp amid concerns over the spread of the coronavirus in Amman, Jordan. REUTERS -
Members of the medical staff at UNRWA prepare prescription medicines to deliver to Palestinian refugees in their homes at Amman New. REUTERS -
A refugee receives his prescription medicine from a member of the medical staff at UNRWA in front of his home at Amman New camp. REUTERS -
A member of the medical staff at UNRWA prepares prescription medicines to deliver to Palestinian refugees. REUTERS -
The Director of UNRWA Operations in West Bank, Gwyn Lewis, in a visit to Sur Baher Girls school. © 2019 UNRWA/ Kazem Abu Khalaf -
Health staff at Shaboura health centre in Rafah packing and delivering medications to elderly people. © 2020 UNRWA/ Khalil Adwan -
Noon Briefing by the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Guest: Mr. Philippe Lazzarini, Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia. UNRWA
He said the question was whether this support and the renewed mandate matched the resources being made available after the US decision in August 2018 to cut nearly $300 million (Dh11.01 billion) in funding hit the already stretched budget.
"Unfortunately there are too many cash-strapped deadlines, and the next one is at the end of May because we have no visibility anymore beyond," Mr Lazzarini said.
He said these could have a "devastating impact on our activities" but he hoped to have outstanding pledges from donor countries in place before that.
The UNRWA was given a mandate in 1949 to assist Palestinian refugees until a political solution was found.
The agency operates in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, the occupied West Bank, occupied East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.
Even before the US froze funds for the UNRWA it was lurching between financial crises and reliant on regular large donations from states.
A crisis of management, reputation and relevance
But the agency has faced an "internal management crisis, reputational issues and the relevancy was also questioned".
Mr Lazzarini's predecessor, Pierre Krahenbuhl, stood down last November amid an investigation into misconduct.
Mr Krahenbuhl denied the claims, saying he and the agency were being politically targeted.
The new UNRWA head admitted the agency had faced a tough year but he said he was working to move past it.
Finding funds
Mr Lazzarini said his role would be to change the relationship between donors and the agency, particularly in Europe where some politicians have questioned its efficiency.
Germany, the EU, the UK and Sweden were the four top donors in 2019.
"We have to bring the necessary confidence back to solidify this partnership that we have," he said.
Mr Lazzarini said the UNRWA had to give donors confidence to continue championing the agency.
His and the agency's role, he said, would be to answer questions over how the money was being used and if it were being spent on tasks the UNRWA had been given.
This means agreeing on the importance of the delivery of core services to Palestinian refugees and on the work being done to achieve the broader 2030 agenda set by the UN.
"When we talk about sustainable goals or social and economic rights, leaving no one behind, we also mean Palestinian refugees are not left behind," Mr Lazzarini said.
"It's important that it's perceived as this agency focusing and delivering on the right of Palestinian refugees and its services.
"That's a starting point because if we agree that this is what is expected from UNRWA, this is what makes it easier to support it financially and politically."
White House peace plan
Asked about the White House peace plan announced last year, Mr Lazzarini said the position of the UN was to support dialogue anchored in relevant resolutions.
But he said that until there was a state for Palestinians, the role of the UNRWA would be to provide dignity and education, which would contribute to promoting peace and security in the region.
"By doing so, we will contribute to having a future generation ready and educated to take over or be part of a future country where they will be full citizens," Mr Lazzarini said.
He said that while talking to the international community and donors was key, so was having an honest and transparent relationship with Palestinian officials and the refugees the agency helps.
"I will be in listening mode at the beginning to make sure that the decisions which will be taken are in line with the aspirations," Mr Lazzarini said. "You need to have an honest dialogue."
-
Amman Rajara ,20, carries a plate of humus and her child in the Aida refugee camp near Bethlehem. Aida is an urban slum with narrow winding streets and few sources of services besides the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. All photo by Heidi Levine for The National -
Palestinians carry cooking gain the entrance of the Aida refugee camp. It is one of the 19 camps for Palestinians in the West Bank. -
Palestinian Abdel Hadeef Abu Sul, 87, walks along Israel's separation camp near his home/ -
Anas Abu Srour, 30, was born and raised in the camp and feels that it is his obligation to stay. -
Motes Abu Khader, 26, and his mother Nada.47. Eight family members live in the home . -
Mutasem Abu Kheidar, 26, and his mother Nada.47,.They live in a simple home off of one of Aida’s narrow alleyways. -
A family seen in a street in the camp. -
as never known life without the Palestinian Authority, the semi-autonomous, nominally interim Palestinian government based in the occupied West Bank that the 1994 Oslo Accords instated. He has also not known life as a Palestinian refugee without UNRWA -
Momen Zboun, 20, spent 18 months in an Iraeli jail after being arrested at a demonstration. Heidi Levine for The National -
The symbolism of UNRWA is everywhere in Palestinian refugee camps across the West Bank and Gaza Strip: it is part and parcel to the workings of everyday life. -
Residents UNRWA “services used to be better” in their quality and quantity. He was not sure now what would happen to it – or to people like him in the absence of sufficient PA services to serve as an alternative.
He said that just as important will be the message to Palestinian refugees that they will not be left behind; that they will have access to universal care, an end to hunger and poverty, and that peace and justice will be achieved.
Two weeks into his new role, Mr Lazzarini has already spoken to officials of countries hosting Palestinian refugees.
Building long-term support
Initially after the US decision to freeze funding, other donors mobilised to help cover the $360m shortfall with multi-year pledges and contributions to the organisation to provide urgent money.
The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar each stepped in immediately with $50m for a total of $200m.
And in 2019, the UAE and Saudi Arabia were still among the top six donors.
But some of the donors who stepped in in 2018 were not so forthcoming last year, Mr Lazzarini said.
The peace process through the years
-
PLO chairman Yasser Arafat shakes hands with Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, as US president Bill Clinton stands between them, after the signing of the Israeli-PLO peace accord, at the White House September 13, 1993. Reuters -
United States' special envoy Dennis Ross looks on as Saeb Erekat, left, the chief Palestinian negotiator, and Dan Shomron, the chief Israeli negotiator, initial the documents that bring to a conclusion the long-delayed and overdue Israeli troop redeployment in the West Bank city of Hebron. Reuters -
Palestinian president Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu both gesture for the other to leave a meeting December 24 1996 in the Israeli Civil Administration headquarters located along the Israeli - Gaza Strip border area. The two leaders met for for over three hours in a bid to clinch the agreement on the long-delayed Israeli troop redeployment in Hebron. Although no agreement was reached US envoy Dennis Ross said that "real progress" was made towards the long-elusive accord. Reuters -
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shakes hands with a smiling Palestinian Authority president Yasser Arafat at a meeting at the Erez crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip Wednesday Jan 15, 1997. Israel and the PLO concluded a long-elusive agreement on extending Palestinian rule to Hebron in the West Bank. Reuters -
Mahmoud Abbas, left, and Ariel Sharon turn to the cameras and smile as they shake hands at the start of their meeting in Sharon's office November 18. The two met to review the work of all the Israeli-Palestinian peace committees and to set a date for the resumption of final status talks. Reuters -
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian president Yasser Arafat during their meeting at Erez crossing point, northern Gaza Strip, December 24, 1996. Arafat and Netanyahu met here in search of an agreement to end the Israeli occupation of Hebron and revive the peace process. In the background at left is US mediator Dennis Ross. Reuters -
PLO chairman Yasser Arafat holds the second phase of the Oslo peace accords after the initialling of the document, September 24, 1995, as Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres looks on. Israel and the PLO will officially sign the agreement in Washington later this week. Reuters -
US President Barack Obama arrives with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to make a statement on Middle East Peace talks in the East Room of the White House, September 1, 2010. Reuters -
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak jokingly pushes Palestinian president Yasser Arafat into the Laurel cabin on the grounds of Camp David as US President Bill Clinton watches during peace talks, July 11, 2000. Arafat and Barak were insisting that the other proceed through the door first. Camp David is the venue where Egypt and Israel made peace in September 1978, and the Laurel cabin was the site of many of the meetings. Reuters -
France's President Nicolas Sarkozy, centre, shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, left and Israel's prime minister Ehud Olmert after a joint news briefing at the Elysee Palace July 13, 2008. Reuters -
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after US special envoy Dennis Ross, centre, spoke, early January 15, 1997 after the two leaders met and agreed on the term for an Israeli troop redeployment in Hebron. The talks lasted less than two hours and concluded months of negotiations. Reuters -
US President Barack Obama watches Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas shake hands during a trilateral meeting in New York September 22, 2009. Reuters -
US President George W. Bush discusses the Middle East peace process with prime minister Ariel Sharon of Israel, left, and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas in Aqaba, Jordan, June 4, 2003. Reuters -
Palestinian and Israeli top negotiators Abu Ala, left, and Uri Savir shake hands after signing the second phase of the Oslo peace accords September 24 1995. PLO chairman Yasser Arafat is in the middle speaking to team member Sait Barecat, (L), after eight days of talks. Reuters -
Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, right, greets Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during their meeting in Jerusalem September 16, 2008. Reuters -
US National Security Advisor John Bolton answers a question from a reporter about how he refers to Palestine during a news conference in the White House briefing room in Washington, U.S., October 3, 2018. Reuters
The agency will be looking to Gulf and Arab countries for financial and political support.
"I do believe the Gulf countries are important partners to UNRWA and it is important to develop a lasting, predictable partnership with the Gulf countries," Mr Lazzarini said.
He is eyeing longer-term mutual commitment between donors beyond just the Gulf countries, such as those from the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation, "European and traditional supporters like Japan, Canada and possibly South Korea stepping in here in the region".
He will also be in contact with European countries.
But Mr Lazzarini was quick to note that countries are not just regarded as financial supporters.
They have to be seen as genuinely associated and partners to the mandate of the UNRWA.
"That the organisation is working to address poverty among Palestinian refugees," he said. "In doing so, we are also contributing to the broader peace and stability in the region."
Mr Lazzarini said he planned to build trust in what the agency did to focus on securing the flow and predictability of donor contributions.
The fight against coronavirus
The head said he welcomed but had not been officially told about a US decision to direct $5m to the Palestinian Authority in response to an appeal to fight the coronavirus pandemic. There are 431 confirmed cases and two deaths.
Mr Lazzarini said the agency would begin its own Covid-19 emergency response appeal next week.
"Obviously, if this could trigger similar support it would be a welcome development," he said.
But so far, Mr Lazzarini said he had been very impressed with the work of the agency amid the pandemic.
He said all health centres remained open in the five areas of UNRWA's operations.
E-learning has continued and there is a strong push to increase the number of children who can access remote schooling.
Yet the coronavirus is a pandemic on top of a crisis for the agency. With 30,000 staff members working for more than 5 million refugees, the "chronic crisis" continues, he said.
But Mr Lazzarini said he would put all necessary energy and attention into ensuring services continue.
"It's clear today it's a struggle," he said.
"And unfortunately, the organisation has known far too much of this unsettling financial crisis, especially for a group of the population that is among the most vulnerable in the world, and definitely one of the most vulnerable in the Middle East."
