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Pakistan, Jan. 8 — The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) announced on Wednesday that a critical financial situation has led to the dismissal of 571 employees who are based outside Gaza. These workers had been employed in the Gaza Strip but had left the area after the conflict began in October 2023.

A representative from UNRWA referred to the dismissals as a “critical” action and stated that the firings took effect right away. The organization, which has provided assistance to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria for more than seven decades, depends mainly on donations to support its activities.

Last year, UNRWA encountered an extraordinary lack of funding, with approximately $570 million in donations received compared to an operational expense of $880 million. Authorities have indicated that the organization anticipates a substantial financial shortfall in 2026, prompting worries regarding the ongoing provision of its vital services for refugees.

The crisis has occurred alongside increasing Israeli criticism and attacks on the agency, making it harder for it to obtain consistent financial support. UNRWA emphasized that the layoffs only involved staff who had already left Gaza earlier, ensuring that essential workers on the ground remained to maintain critical services.

The agency’s representative stated that the organization is still seeking global assistance to avoid more interruptions and ensure essential humanitarian initiatives remain operational. With immediate financial backing, UNRWA cautioned that it might experience further cuts in personnel and services, which would significantly affect millions of Palestinian refugees relying on education, medical care, and social aid.

The UNRWA has consistently urged member nations and supporters to fulfill their obligations, highlighting that the financial crisis endangers years of humanitarian efforts and the welfare of at-risk populations in the area.