Switzerland and the Netherlands have decided to suspend their support for UNRWA following the publication of a report on corruption in the United Nations, Israel Radio reported on Wednesday, quoting foreign press reports.
International agencies published a classified report to the UNRWA Ethics Committee, citing lengthy corruption. The report was passed on to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, which led to the exploitation of the administration and the Israeli government to demand the closure of UNRWA.
The Swiss foreign ministry spokesman said the suspension would be temporary pending verification of the report, which was published on corruption, mismanagement and abuse of power in the organization, which is suffering mainly from major financial crises.
He noted that his country had contacts with other donor countries and would decide on the actions to be taken according to the results of the investigation. He pointed out that his country had paid the annual contribution of about 20 million euros, but would not add any other contributions until the end of the investigation.
The Dutch newspaper Telegraph reported that the government had suspended its annual contribution because of the same report, noting that the Netherlands was donating 13 million euros a year.
According to the report, serious moral irregularities have been committed by senior officials, including Commissioner-General Pierre Krineball.
For his part, said the spokesman for UNRWA, Sami Musha´sah said that outside pressures exerted on the agency amid attempts to cast doubt on its role.
In a statement to the official Palestine Radio, Mashaa said the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) in New York had notified the agency earlier this year that an investigation would be carried out on charges. The investigation is still ongoing and has not produced any results.
He added that UNRWA´s main concern now is to ensure the start of the school year in its time and to renew UNRWA´s mandate at the United Nations at the United Nations meeting in September to continue its work in the service of refugees.
