Humanitarian Leaders Urge Congress to Support Critical Funding for Palestinians
The Honorable Nita Lowey
Chair, House Committee on Appropriations Chair, Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Richard Shelby
Chair, Senate Committee on Appropriations
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Kay Granger
Ranking Member, House Committee on Appropriations
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Patrick Leahy
Vice Chair, Senate Committee on Appropriations
Ranking Member, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Hal Rogers
Ranking Member, House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Lindsey Graham
Chair, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Member of Congress:
As organizations deeply involved in programs and advocacy surrounding international humanitarian response, we write to you to share our concerns regarding the Trump administration’s continuing refusal to provide U.S. humanitarian assistance to people in need in the West Bank and Gaza. The funding includes support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and programs implemented by organizations through the Economic Support Fund (ESF) to meet the basic needs of the civilian population. UNRWA is currently facing its third year without financial support from the United States, which has had a corrosive effect on the Agency’s provision of essential services. We urge that such U.S. financial support for these critical programs be restored and protected in the 2021 appropriation enacted by the U.S. Congress.
The withholding of financial contributions to UNRWA over the past three years has had a significant impact on the lives of Palestinians. While stop-gap funding from other donors has allowed UNRWA to prioritize food, healthcare and the most critical humanitarian assistance in the short-term, predictable and sustainable support is urgently needed. Since the loss of U.S. funding, UNRWA has been forced to reduce housing and community mental health programs in Gaza, discontinue mobile health clinics in the West Bank, and cut education programming across the both Gaza and the West Bank.
In addition, support for Palestinians impacted by the war in Syria was cut in half as a result of the decision to withhold U.S. funding. Because of the deep uncertainty resulting from the sudden loss of U.S. funding, many teaching, medical, and UNRWA staff positions remain vacant in Jordan. And we are deeply concerned that the elimination of ESF has impacted programs that address urgent food, water, and medical needs in the region.
We remain particularly alarmed that the initial decision impacting humanitarian aid to civilians was not based on any assessment of need, but rather designed to punish Palestinian political leaders, as reflected in statements by the President and his administration. This is unacceptable as a rationale for denying civilians humanitarian assistance, and a dangerous departure from U.S. policy on international humanitarian assistance.
In short, UNRWA is dealing with an unprecedented funding shortage as officials struggle to maintain critical operations. The human cost to the decision by the Trump administration to withhold financial contributions is evident. We respectfully ask Congress to protect support for UNRWA and this essential humanitarian funding to meet the needs of the vulnerable populations that UNRWA serves.
Sincerely,
Abby Maxman
President and CEO
Oxfam America
Joyce Ajlouny
General Secretary
American Friends Service Committee
Eskinder Negash
Chief Executive Officer
U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
J. Ron Byler
Executive Director
Mennonite Central Committee U.S.
Michelle Nunn
President and CEO
CARE USA
Sean Carroll
President and CEO
American Near East Refugee Aid
Eric Schwartz
President
Refugees International
Joel Charny
Executive Director
Norwegian Refugee Council USA
Janti Soeripto
Chief Executive Officer
Save the Children
Sarah Costa
Executive Director
Women’s Refugee Commission
David A. Weiss
President and CEO
Global Communities
Mark Hetfield
President and CEO
HIAS