A girl stands by to containers filled with water along a street in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on April 23, 2024. AFP
This came in a joint statement by the German Foreign Ministry and the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development following the issuance of the Independent Review Group report.
“We welcome the issuance of the report of the United Nations Independent Review Group, led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna,” the statement said.
“UNRWA pledged to implement the recommendations mentioned in the report quickly and fully. In this way, UNRWA is also building on measures already taken as a result of the allegations made by Israel,” it added.
Additionally, the statement said particular importance is given to strengthening UNRWA's internal audit, staffing it with international UN staff, improving project management's external supervision, comparing UNRWA staff lists with the Israeli security authorities, and expanding internal training.
“The German government welcomes Sigrid Kaag's new important role as the central coordinator of UN aid to Gaza, which we support to the best of our ability,” it added.
Against this background, Germany will soon resume cooperation with UNRWA in Gaza, as Australia, Canada, Sweden, Japan, and others have already done.
According to the statement, Germany will coordinate closely with its closest international partners to disburse more funds. Resources currently existing in Gaza cover UNRWA's short-term funding needs.
“By continuing close cooperation, we support the vital and currently indispensable role of UNRWA in providing care to people in Gaza, because other international aid organizations also currently depend on UNRWA's operational structures in Gaza,” the statement added.
“Recently, the G7 stressed that UNRWA and other UN agencies must be able to fulfill their mandate to distribute humanitarian aid in Gaza. This is more important than ever, given the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza,” it concluded.
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