UNRWA Faces a $250 Million Budget Gap for 2026, With About 1.7 Million Palestinians in Gaza Relying on Its Protection and Assistance
Christian Saunders, the acting Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), told the UN General Assembly's Fourth Committee that the agency faces a budget deficit of US$250 million for 2026, including a cashflow deficit of about US$70 million, according to a statement published on UNRWA's website.
Saunders said austerity measures in place since 2024 have saved the agency US$240 million in total, including US$65 million saved in 2026 alone through reduced service hours. He said the agency will likely need to ask Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher for a loan from the Central Emergency Response Fund to pay its personnel through the end of the year.
In the Gaza Strip, UNRWA provides protection and assistance to about 1.7 million Palestinians. Since September 2026, more than 117,000 children have been learning in 85 temporary learning spaces, and about 280,000 students use the agency's digital learning platform. More than 1,300 healthcare workers provide an average of 75,000 medical consultations a week.
In the West Bank, the agency serves nearly a million refugees. Saunders used the statement to appeal to member states for funding so that education, health and social services can continue without interruption.
Founded in 1949, UNRWA is the main UN agency providing humanitarian aid and public services to Palestine refugees. It is funded mainly by voluntary contributions from member states and has faced sustained financial pressure in recent years.
Source: UNRWA
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：加沙地带被毁的近东救济工程处宰图恩男子学校及周边废墟。作者与授权：Abedallah Alhaj（近东救济工程处），自由使用授权（经维基共享资源志愿者回复团队存档确认，ticket #2025060410006591），维基共享资源。 / Photo: The destroyed UNRWA Zaitoun Boys School and surrounding rubble in the Gaza Strip. Credit: Abedallah Alhaj (UNRWA), free-use licence confirmed via the Wikimedia Commons Volunteer Response Team (ticket #2025060410006591), via Wikimedia Commons.
