Date: 21/4/2026
Discussing the financial crisis of UNRWA and the conditions of the camps with the Consul General of the Kingdom of Belgium
He called on Belgium, in its capacity as Chair of the Advisory Commission, to move at the European level to confront smear campaigns against UNRWA
He warned of the repercussions of the continued financial deficit in UNRWA’s budget on regional stability
=========================================================================
Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Head of the Department of Refugee Affairs, Ahmed Abu Holi, discussed with the Consul General of the Kingdom of Belgium to the State of Palestine, Anik Van Calster, the financial crisis facing the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and ways to address it, in addition to the living conditions of refugees in the Palestinian camps in light of the current challenges witnessed in the region, and the international movements supporting the Agency, including Norwegian support, to ensure the stability of its budget and enable it to carry out its tasks in accordance with its UN mandate.
During the meeting held at the headquarters of the Department of Refugee Affairs in the city of Ramallah, Abu Holi valued Belgium’s historical positions in support of UNRWA, especially as it is among the first countries that supported the Agency since 1953, its continued support for the Agency in the meetings of the Advisory Commission, and its recognition of the State of Palestine in September 2025, while at the same time calling on Belgium to restore previous levels of funding for UNRWA to bridge the financial gap that has declined by nearly half compared to 2024, to ensure the stability of its budget and enable it to carry out its tasks in accordance with its UN mandate.
Abu Holi briefed the Belgian Consul on the seriousness of the living conditions inside the refugee camps, which have reached catastrophic levels, warning of the repercussions of the continued financial deficit in UNRWA’s budget on regional stability.
Abu Holi pointed out that UNRWA is facing a financial deficit estimated at $200 million, which has cast its shadow on health and educational services, especially in the Gaza Strip, which is suffering from a decline in the quality of medical care and a shortage of medicines.
He warned of the danger of austerity measures, including the dismissal of hundreds of employees, the reduction of medical staff in overcrowded Gaza clinics, and a 20% deduction from salaries, affirming the success of the Department in containing the labor dispute and preventing an open strike.
He also valued Belgium’s position rejecting smear campaigns against the Agency in the European Union, and its positions condemning violations in Jerusalem and Shuafat Camp, calling for a coordinated international effort to protect UNRWA’s humanitarian and political role.
Abu Holi reviewed the deteriorating field conditions in the northern West Bank, pointing to the displacement of more than 45,000 citizens in the camps of Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams as a result of the ongoing aggression, and the accompanying plans aimed at undermining UNRWA’s work and ending its role in those camps, stressing the necessity of urgent international intervention to support the shelter and health sectors.
Abu Holi called for intensifying humanitarian support for refugees and the displaced in the camps of the northern West Bank and the Gaza Strip, in addition to refugees in Lebanon and Syria, in light of the field escalation and the difficult conditions facing the areas of operations, to ensure meeting their urgent relief needs.
Abu Holi called on Belgium, through its upcoming position as Chair of UNRWA’s Advisory Commission in the coming June and November sessions, to take urgent action at all levels, especially with European Union member states, and in coordination with Australia in its capacity as Vice-Chair of the Commission, to mobilize financial and political support for the Agency and advocate for its UN mandate.
For her part, the Belgian Consul General Anik Van Calster affirmed her country’s firm commitment to the two-state solution and its keenness to strengthen multilateral international action under the umbrella of the United Nations to ensure the preservation of stability and the protection of refugee rights, stressing the continuation of support for UNRWA as the approved international instrument to address the current humanitarian challenges.
She explained that Belgium will assume the presidency of UNRWA’s Advisory Commission in partnership with Australia and Egypt, affirming the keenness to enhance close cooperation with the Palestinian side to preserve the Agency’s core support. She also revealed an official Belgian commitment to fund UNRWA and support the stability of its budget until 2028.
Van Calster indicated that her country provides financial support amounting to €7 million to UNRWA’s regular budget, and €4.5 million for emergency response, in addition to funding electronic archiving projects in Jordan and development programs in the West Bank and Gaza, affirming that protecting the Agency requires the sustainability of financial support and strengthening dialogue within the European Union to clarify its vital reality and current challenges.
She stressed Belgium’s commitment to supporting humanitarian efforts, noting that UNRWA constitutes an inherent right for refugees and an essential element for achieving stability and establishing the Palestinian state.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to continue coordination with all international donors to mobilize the necessary support to ensure the sustainability of UNRWA’s services and improve the living conditions of Palestinian refugees.
