Date: 1/5/2026
Dr. Ahmed Abu Holi, Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Head of the Department of Refugee Affairs, met today with the Canadian Ambassador to the State of Palestine, Graham Dattils, to discuss the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the camps, the serious challenges facing the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) amid its compounded financial crisis, as well as Canadian funding for UNRWA and ways to increase it.
During the meeting, held at the headquarters of the Department of Refugee Affairs in the city of Ramallah, Dr. Abu Holi stressed that Canada’s continued support for UNRWA—both politically and financially—constitutes a fundamental pillar for enhancing regional stability and a safety valve for protecting humanitarian values. It also represents firm political and legal backing for UNRWA’s mandate, and an affirmation of safeguarding the multilateral international system based on cooperation among states and international humanitarian institutions under the umbrella of international law to collectively address global crises.
Abu Holi praised the pivotal role played by Canada through its position as an observer member of UNRWA’s Advisory Commission since 2005, and its active contribution over two decades in supporting the Agency’s mandate politically and financially. He commended Canada’s ranking among the top ten donors to UNRWA for 2025, placing tenth.
Dr. Abu Holi commended Canada’s financial commitment of $25 million for 2025, and the maintenance of this funding level for 2026, expressing hope that support will increase in the future to reach the 2024 level of $38 million, in order to enable the Agency to meet growing needs.
Dr. Abu Holi warned of the repercussions of the acute financial deficit facing the Agency, estimated at approximately $200 million, stressing that this crisis has cast a dark shadow over essential services, particularly in the Gaza Strip, which is experiencing a serious decline in the quality of medical care and a severe shortage of medicines and medical supplies.
Dr. Abu Holi reviewed the tragic field conditions in the northern West Bank, warning of the repercussions of the displacement of more than 45,000 citizens from the camps of Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams as a result of the ongoing aggression, which aims systematically to undermine UNRWA’s work and paralyze its ability to deliver its vital services.
He stressed the need for immediate international intervention to provide emergency budgets to support the shelter and health sectors, enabling the Agency to respond to escalating humanitarian needs and to thwart plans aimed at ending its political and humanitarian role. He also called for the swift reopening of the internal medicine and maternity departments at the Agency’s hospital in Qalqilya, warning of the consequences of their closure under the pretext of the financial crisis and shortage of medical staff—particularly as the hospital represents a vital health lifeline for refugees in the governorate and northern camps—thus requiring the overcoming of all administrative and technical obstacles to ensure the continuation of its life-saving services.
Abu Holi briefed the Canadian Ambassador on the escalating Israeli attacks against UNRWA premises in occupied Jerusalem, foremost among them the Agency’s headquarters in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, which has been subjected to the destruction of offices, and the closure of schools and clinics, as well as the denial of basic services such as water, electricity, and communications, in flagrant violation of international conventions. He also warned of the systematic targeting of the Qalandia Vocational Training Centre and threats to confiscate its land and shut it down, considering this a direct assault on the future of refugee youth and their right to education and vocational training, and an attempt to eliminate the Agency’s institutional presence in occupied Jerusalem.
For his part, Ambassador Dattils affirmed his country’s continued support for UNRWA to ensure the continuation of its essential services in accordance with its UN mandate, stressing that Canada fully recognizes the scale of the catastrophic impacts of the financial crisis and political threats facing the Agency, and is working diligently with donor countries to enhance sustainable funding.
The Canadian Ambassador expressed his country’s pride in recognizing the State of Palestine, considering this step a pillar for enhancing the prospects of achieving the two-state solution. He also expressed deep concern over the deteriorating conditions in the camps of the northern West Bank and the widespread displacement witnessed there, affirming Canada’s support for the right of residents to stability and return, and the continuation of providing relief assistance through international institutions to support displaced persons in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Dattils also referred to his field visits to the Balata and Jenin camps, through which he closely observed the scale of suffering and needs, reaffirming Canada’s commitment to its position as one of the major donors by providing fixed annual funding of $25 million, in addition to further humanitarian contributions to address emergency crises.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides emphasized the importance of continued coordination and joint communication in a way that supports the resilience of Palestinian refugees and ensures the continuity of UNRWA’s work. The Canadian Ambassador also expressed his country’s readiness to examine the Qalqilya Hospital file and work toward finding solutions to reopen its vital departments.
