UNRWA: Fuel must be allowed in to Gaza to allow for humanitarian aid

By Francesca Merlo and Xavier Sartre

"Without fuel, there will be no humanitarian assistance nor a movement to support people" in Gaza. Antonino Brusa, the Director of Human Resources for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), made this clear call in an interview with Vatican Radio's Xavier Sartre.  Emphasising the urgent need for fuel and water to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe, Brusa highlighted the dire consequences of the fuel shortage.

He stressed that further strangling the children, women, and people of Gaza without fuel is not an option, and failure to provide this essential resource is not an acceptable outcome.

The situation in Gaza is becoming increasingly desperate, with needs growing by the hour. Brusa insisted that this cannot and should not happen under the watch of the international community. He called upon all parties and those with influence over them to immediately allow fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip and ensure that fuel is strictly used to prevent a collapse of the humanitarian response.

Fuel for water

One of the most alarming aspects of the crisis is the lack of water for the majority of Gaza's population. Brusa expressed concern, stating, "We are talking about 2 million people in the Strip who do not have water and who need for the water to be flowing like it was before the seventh of October across the Gaza Strip." He emphasised the critical role of fuel in restoring the water supply, including for the salination plant supported by another UN agency, UNICEF, and the pumping stations.

The situation is further complicated by the interruption of water supply from the Israeli private sector through vendors, which used to be sent through the crossings between Gaza and Israel. Brusa voiced concerns about the potential spread of waterborne diseases due to the unavailability of clean water. People in Gaza, he explained, are resorting to using dirty water sources, including wells.

UN's approach to conflict zones

Responding to questions about preventing Hamas from accessing fuel, Brusa explained the UN's approach in conflict zones. He emphasised that the UN operates in complex environments to deliver humanitarian aid while adhering to humanitarian principles, including neutrality. UNRWA, he said, works in areas controlled by the de facto government or other armed actors. Brusa assured that UNRWA does not deny basic humanitarian assistance, including food, to those in need and operates independently in line with humanitarian principles. The agency, he reiterated, has robust safeguards in place to ensure principled delivery.

Brusa also highlighted that a range of top donors, including the US and the European Union, strictly verify UNRWA's adherence to neutrality safeguards yearly. Moreover, there are checks in place through the banking system used for fund transfers. He emphasised that UNRWA must demonstrate accountability to donors on its principles to continue its operations.

In addressing concerns about Hamas receiving aid, Brusa clarified that UNRWA does not operate through third parties. The delivery of food, fuel, or any other commodities goes directly through UNRWA, ensuring that beneficiaries are not on any UN, US, or EU sanction list, with safeguards in place to prevent misuse of aid.

The situation in Gaza is dire, and immediate action is needed to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe. Brusa's plea underscores the urgency of providing fuel and water to alleviate the suffering of the people in Gaza. The international community, he concluded, must act swiftly to avert a worsening crisis in the region.