Dousa Under Scrutiny Over Suspension of UNRWA Funding

Frustration is palpable within the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) following the decision by its leadership to halt a proposed payment of 30 million kronor to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) within the next few weeks.

According to findings from agency staff, UNRWA is identified as the most effective organization capable of delivering assistance in the war-torn region of Gaza. Consequently, there was an intent to provide immediate humanitarian aid to the agency, as reported earlier.

However, Sida's upper management has rejected this initiative. The backdrop to this decision is rooted in the Swedish government's suspension of all funding to UNRWA in December 2024, citing prohibitions imposed by Israel on the agency's operations in the area. Instead, the government has redirected support to alternative aid organizations.

Sida's Director-General has articulated that the organization has made a comprehensive assessment to refrain from providing additional financial support to UNRWA for the time being, aligning with the government's directives regarding the cessation of core funding to the agency.

In response, the Social Democratic Party has opted to file a complaint against the Minister for International Development Cooperation, Benjamin Dousa. Party members assert that Sida is reluctant to respond to emergency appeals for additional funding to assist the population in Gaza, citing the government's policies as the reason for their inaction. They argue that this raises significant questions about the minister's performance in office, prompting a call for scrutiny from the Constitutional Committee.

Critics from the Social Democratic Party contend that Dousa has misled the public regarding the situation. They maintain that humanitarian aid should be allocated based solely on need, independent of political considerations. They express concern that Sida has factored in governmental directives beyond mere humanitarian necessity due to the current political climate.

The party members also highlight Dousa's statements regarding Sweden's commitment to facilitating increased aid to Gaza, contrasting this with the suspension of support to UNRWA. They express hope that this situation will prompt the government to reassess its policy and enhance support for children and other civilians affected in Gaza.

In a statement regarding the situation, Minister Dousa emphasized his ongoing dialogue with Sweden's humanitarian partners operating within Gaza, underscoring his commitment to ensuring more families receive Swedish aid. He expressed a willingness to collaborate with the Social Democrats to exert more pressure on Israel, asserting that political maneuvering is not the solution to providing assistance to children in Gaza and that a unified approach is essential. He has invited the Constitutional Committee to examine the matter thoroughly.

For further insights, it is notable that Sida's Director-General has reiterated their alignment with governmental strategy regarding support for Gaza, indicating that they are working diligently in accordance with the established protocols.