Canada has resumed funding of the United Nations agency charged with delivering aid to Palestinians after issuing a temporary pause in January following allegations that staff members may have been involved in the Oct. 7 attacks against Israel.
International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen said in a press release Friday that the UN has implemented several “significant processes to address the allegations and reinforce its zero tolerance for terror within the UN, including UNRWA.”
“Following allegations that some UNRWA staff were involved in Hamas’s heinous terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023, the UN has put in place several significant processes to address the allegations and reinforce its zero tolerance for terror within the UN, including UNRWA,” the statement said.
“Canada has reviewed the interim report of the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) on this matter and looks forward to the final report. Canada commends the independent review of UNRWA currently underway, led by Catherine Colonna, and anticipates reviewing the report assessing UNRWA’s neutrality mechanisms.”
“While these investigative processes continue, UNRWA has taken immediate measures to strengthen oversight, accountability and transparency,” the statement continued.
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Hussen says Canada is working to overcome challenges in delivering humanitarian aid and life-saving relief to civilians in Gaza, who need help “as quickly as possible.”
Canada temporarily paused funding for UNRWA in January after allegations that staff members were involved in the attacks against Israel last October.
A statement posted to UNRWA’s website that month says Israeli authorities provided information to the agency about the alleged involvement of several UNRWA employees in the attacks.
“To protect the Agency’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance, I have taken the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these staff members and launch an investigation in order to establish the truth without delay,” the statement quotes UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini as saying.
“Any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.”
Hussen said in a statement at the time that Canada will conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations.
“Should the allegations prove to be accurate, Canada expects UNRWA to immediately act against those determined to have been involved in Hamas’ terrorist acts,” he said.
More to come.
— With files from Global News’ Sean Boynton and Nathaniel Dove
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