The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the special U.N. agency that deals specifically with so-called Palestinian “refugees,” appealed to the world Friday for a massive budget boost.
Christian Saunders, the acting chief said the U.N. has backed the $1.4 billion call, claiming the pledges of support UNRWA received at the U.N. General Assembly in December was “an overwhelming validation of the agency and of our mandate.”
The funds are destined to support the agency for the next 12 months.
The appeal comes just months after UNRWA’s leadership was called to account in an internal United Nations ethics report alleging corruption, sexual misconduct and mismanagement at the highest levels.