Take action to restore UNRWA funding

Pax Christi USA is one of 105 civil society organizations endorsing a new letter to President Biden, urging that the administration support the restoration of US’s funding of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA); this one of the requests in the recently introduced HR 9649: “UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act of 2024.”

Use this link to read the letter in its entirety.

UNRWA is a critical component of the humanitarian response in the Gaza Strip, as recently evidenced in the UN response plan to address the outbreak of polio. US Deputy Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood told the UN Security Council, “[O]ther United Nations agencies and humanitarian organizations have reiterated they are not equipped to replace UNRWA, as UNRWA performs essential government-like functions their organizations do not have the capacity or structure to deliver.’’

The letter states: “Fifteen other governments joined the United States in pausing funding to UNRWA; however, after having performed their own due diligence and rigorous oversight, all 15 have since resumed support to the Agency — leaving the United States the only holdout. In fact, several donor nations have even increased their contributions. While this is welcome news, it does not make up for the funding lost from UNRWA’s largest contributor — the United States. With the situation nearing its one-year mark, the needs are even greater as the risk of famine and disease mount. UNRWA’s role in responding to the acute humanitarian crisis is paramount to prevent widespread famine and disease outbreak.

“Securing an immediate ceasefire, unconditional release of all remaining hostages, and unfettered humanitarian access are only a starting point for a long and difficult rebuilding process. Safeguarding the role of UNRWA, particularly as a provider of primary healthcare and education, is critical for the future of Gaza. Strong congressional support for H.R. 9649 will reflect the growing support of the American people for immediate and effective responses to the unimaginable humanitarian suffering in the Gaza Strip.”

Use this link to read the letter in its entirety.

Take action

Pax Christi USA members are encouraged to use this link to visit the Church World Service (CWS) website to send a message to your members of Congress urging their support for HR 9649.

Three suggested ways to take action (courtesy of CWS):

1. CONTACT YOUR TWO SENATORS AND ONE REPRESENTATIVE TODAY

• Use this link to find contact information for your US senators
• Use this link to find contact information for your member of the US House

Sample script/email: My name is [insert name] and as your constituent from [city/town] and a [person of faith/refugee/member of my community], I urge you to immediately take action to protect human life in Gaza. I join a growing chorus of voices from around the US and the world – representing a diverse spectrum of religious traditions, generations, and political beliefs – in appealing to you to:

• Publicly call for an immediate and lasting bilateral ceasefire and the protection of all civilians.
• Support the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act of 2024 (HR 9649) to reinstate US funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA). As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA) is the only organization equipped to provide the wide-scale humanitarian assistance that Gazans urgently need. Depriving UNRWA of funding imperils civilians’ access to food and medical care, and amounts to collective punishment.
• Support the suspension of military arms transfers to Israel while Israel violates the terms of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
• Increase pressure on the Israeli government and Hamas to earnestly engage in negotiations that would end the violence in Gaza, decrease the risk of famine, release thousands of uncharged Palestinian prisoners in Israel, and release all hostages held in Gaza.
• Urge the administration to continue to hold accountable individuals and entities that are involved in violence against civilians in the West Bank.
• Support the protection of historic religious sites in Jerusalem and other contested areas, urging all parties to respect the religious liberty of all peoples and ensure that those who hold these sites sacred have fair access to them, regardless of religious tradition or citizenship status.
• Actively call on the UN Security Council to enforce the International Court of Justice’s orders regarding Israel’s actions in Rafah, Gaza. The Court has ordered an immediate halt to military operations in Rafah, the opening of the Rafah border crossing for unhindered humanitarian relief, and access for UN fact finding bodies to investigate potential violations of the Genocide Conventions.
• Begin to address the root causes of violence and displacement by ending the occupation and working towards a future in which all Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace, with security and human rights protected for all.

As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA) is the only organization equipped to provide the wide-scale humanitarian assistance that Gazans urgently need. Depriving UNRWA of funding imperils civilians’ access to food and medical care, and amounts to collective punishment. I urge you to support the introduction and passage of legislation reinstating US funding for UNRWA.

I urge you to publicly call for a lasting ceasefire and promote respect for international humanitarian law, the protection of all civilian life, and the reinstatement of UNRWA funding. Thank you.”

2. CALL PRESIDENT BIDEN
You can call President Biden at 202-456-1111. Below is a script to guide your message:

Sample script/email: My name is [insert name] and as your constituent from [city/town] and a [person of faith/refugee/member of my community], I join a growing chorus of voices urging you to immediately take action to protect human life in Gaza. Specifically, I implore you to:

• Publicly call for an immediate and lasting bilateral ceasefire and the protection of all civilians.
• Call on Congress to pass the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act of 2024 to reinstate US funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine, the only organization equipped to respond at scale to tremendous human need in Gaza.
• Cease military arms transfers to Israel while Israel violates the terms of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
• Begin to address the root causes of violence and displacement by ending the occupation and working towards a future in which all Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace and freedom.

It is incumbent upon the US to demonstrate clear moral leadership by acting immediately to protect human life, uphold international humanitarian law, and seek long-term peace in Gaza and throughout the occupied Palestinian territories. Thank you.”

3. AMPLIFY ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Share this message with national leaders on social media! See below for sample social media posts:

1. @legislator: Failing to restore full funding to UNRWA will cost more civilians their lives. Support the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act of 2024 (HR 9649)
2. @legislator: Collective punishment is wrong and a violation of international law. It’s past time for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza.
3. @POTUS: U.S. military assistance to Israel is contributing to the suffering and death of civilians in Gaza. I urge you to call on all parties to abide by the laws of war, secure the release of hostages, and protect civilian life.
4. @legislator: You have a moral obligation to help protect civilians and to support their access to food, water, and fuel in Gaza.