Switzerland, Netherlands suspend UNRWA funding over 'sexual misconduct, discrimination'
Switzerland, Netherlands suspend UNRWA funding over 'sexual misconduct, discrimination'
3 min read
An internal ethics report revealed an array of allegations against officials in the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, including claims of sexual misconduct and other ethical abuses.
UNRWA has been in crisis since last year, when the US cut its funding [AFP]
Switzerland and the Netherlands announced on Wednesday they were cutting funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, after an internal ethics report revealed allegations of mismanagement and abuses at its highest levels.
The $14.5 million contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has been put on hold, the Ministry of Development Cooperation told Al Jazeera.
The Swiss foreign ministry said it had already made its $2.5 million anual contribution but would be "suspending any additional contributions" to the UN agency over the scandal.
The organisation already faces an unprecedented funding crisis after US funding cuts.
The allegations included in the report by the agency's ethics department, first published by Al Jazeera on Monday, are now being scrutinised by UN investigators.
The $14.5 million contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has been put on hold, the Ministry of Development Cooperation told Al Jazeera.
The Swiss foreign ministry said it had already made its $2.5 million anual contribution but would be "suspending any additional contributions" to the UN agency over the scandal.
The organisation already faces an unprecedented funding crisis after US funding cuts.
The allegations included in the report by the agency's ethics department, first published by Al Jazeera on Monday, are now being scrutinised by UN investigators.