Demand Canada Restore Funding for UNRWA
The Issue
UNRWA’s statement dated 28th January 2024 warns that their lifesaving aid for Gaza may end if countries, like Canada, suspend their funding. 85% of Gaza’s population is internally displaced and UNRWA estimates that they are providing shelter, food and healthcare services for over 1 million Palestinian civilians.
In 2022, Canada contributed $23.7 million to UNRWA, down from its 2018 contribution of $50 million. However, this week the Canadian federal government has decided to pause funding citing limited claims.
It is morally reprehensible to suspend aid and sanction UNRWA and the entire civilian population of Gaza. This is collective punishment that effectively sentences them all to an earlier death by starvation, dehydration and inability to access lifesaving medical treatment.
We are appalled that this is the stance that Canada has chosen to take, particularly after the International Court of Justice announced that it is plausible that Israel is acting in violation of the Genocide Convention and ordered Israel to prevent all acts of genocide.
We ask you to look to Ireland as an example of appropriately responding to the UNRWA allegations. Tánaiste (Deputy PM) Micheál Martin announced that he has “full confidence in Philippe Lazzarini’s, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, decision to immediately suspend UNRWA staff suspected of participation in the heinous attacks of October 7, to investigate thoroughly and show zero tolerance on terror. Ireland has no plans to suspend funding for UNRWA’s vital Gaza work.”
We believe that it is crucial for Canada, as a global leader in humanitarian aid and in its commitment towards international law and human rights, to reconsider its decision and restore funding support for UNRWA.
This petition calls upon the Government of Canada not only as an act of humanity but also as part of its responsibility towards international peacekeeping efforts. We urge all of you who believe in justice, human rights, and peacekeeping efforts, to sign this petition demanding that Canada restores its funding support for UNRWA immediately.
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The Issue
UNRWA’s statement dated 28th January 2024 warns that their lifesaving aid for Gaza may end if countries, like Canada, suspend their funding. 85% of Gaza’s population is internally displaced and UNRWA estimates that they are providing shelter, food and healthcare services for over 1 million Palestinian civilians.
In 2022, Canada contributed $23.7 million to UNRWA, down from its 2018 contribution of $50 million. However, this week the Canadian federal government has decided to pause funding citing limited claims.
It is morally reprehensible to suspend aid and sanction UNRWA and the entire civilian population of Gaza. This is collective punishment that effectively sentences them all to an earlier death by starvation, dehydration and inability to access lifesaving medical treatment.
We are appalled that this is the stance that Canada has chosen to take, particularly after the International Court of Justice announced that it is plausible that Israel is acting in violation of the Genocide Convention and ordered Israel to prevent all acts of genocide.
We ask you to look to Ireland as an example of appropriately responding to the UNRWA allegations. Tánaiste (Deputy PM) Micheál Martin announced that he has “full confidence in Philippe Lazzarini’s, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, decision to immediately suspend UNRWA staff suspected of participation in the heinous attacks of October 7, to investigate thoroughly and show zero tolerance on terror. Ireland has no plans to suspend funding for UNRWA’s vital Gaza work.”
We believe that it is crucial for Canada, as a global leader in humanitarian aid and in its commitment towards international law and human rights, to reconsider its decision and restore funding support for UNRWA.
This petition calls upon the Government of Canada not only as an act of humanity but also as part of its responsibility towards international peacekeeping efforts. We urge all of you who believe in justice, human rights, and peacekeeping efforts, to sign this petition demanding that Canada restores its funding support for UNRWA immediately.
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Petition created on January 29, 2024