NEW YORK — UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday urged countries to address a $100 million funding gap for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Guterres addressed an ad hoc meeting of the General Assembly on voluntary contributions.

Guterres stated that UNRWA was nearing a breaking point after implementing deep cost-cutting and austerity measures. "They cannot keep going like this without urgent backing and financial support from member states," he said. He added that any further cuts could push conditions past the breaking point. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric stated that UNRWA faced an existential crisis. Dujarric said the results of the ad hoc meeting are expected to be announced on Wednesday.

In 2026, UNRWA reduced its service delivery hours by 20%, cut salaries for local personnel, and kept 15% of international posts vacant. Guterres said that sweeping restrictions throughout occupied Palestinian territory impeded UNRWA's work. The General Assembly renewed UNRWA's mandate six months prior to July 2026 with overwhelming member support. Guterres said that 390 UNRWA staff had been killed in Gaza since October 2023, and claimed that 1,000 Palestinians had been killed in Israeli attacks since a ceasefire was announced in October.

Guterres stated that UNRWA had taken steps to implement reforms and update its policy on outside and political activities following Israel's accusations. He rejected efforts to undermine UNRWA through what he termed disinformation, smear campaigns, legislative actions, operational restrictions, and diplomatic roadblocks. Guterres characterized UNRWA as a "stabilizing force in an age of instability."