41m ago
(22:00 GMT)
Formation of review group shows UN trying to restore confidence in UNRWA
Reporting from New York City
This panel set up by the United Nations secretary-general was actually requested by UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini over a month ago, before the accusations were made against UNRWA staff that came to light recently.
The accusations prompted another investigation that will take place simultaneously to this review group.
On the one hand, you’ve got an investigation by the Office of Internal Oversight Services here at the United Nations looking at the specific allegations against the UNRWA staff who are accused of participating in the October 7 attacks in Israel.
And then you have this review group that will look more systematically at UNRWA and what it does to ensure neutrality among its employees.
It shows how concerned the UN is, and how much it wants to get UNRWA back on track so that it can serve the needs of the people in Gaza.
A Palestinian girl sits on bags of flour distributed by UNRWA in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, January 29, 2024 [File: Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters]