The humanitarian crisis faced by millions of Palestinian refugees today is a stark reminder that international institutions—and the governments that fund them—must be held accountable. Recent executive actions by President Donald Trump have once again halted U.S. funding to UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, and pulled the United States out of key UN bodies. This decision, echoing similar measures from his first term, not only deprive vulnerable Palestinians of essential services but also exposes a blatant disregard for human rights at the highest levels of U.S. foreign policy. Now, more than ever, we must demand change.
The Crisis in Gaza and Beyond
For decades, UNRWA has served as a lifeline for over five million Palestinian refugees—providing education, primary healthcare, social services, and emergency assistance across Gaza, the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. In recent months, amid escalating violence and humanitarian collapse in Gaza, UNRWA’s role has become even more indispensable. Yet, due to allegations (still uncorroborated by concrete evidence) that some UNRWA employees have ties to militant groups, the U.S. government has chosen to suspend funding. This move, justified by these claims, has left a gaping void in the humanitarian support system for millions of refugees who depend on UNRWA’s services every day.
Even as Arab states and other donors scramble to fill the funding gap, the U.S. withdrawal is both a political and moral blow—a message that American leadership is willing to abandon its long-standing commitment to the protection and dignity of Palestine refugees.
Why Individual Donations to UNRWA USA Matter
While U.S. government support has been frozen until at least March 2025, the response from American citizens has been both inspiring and essential. Private donors, working through nonprofit organizations like UNRWA USA, are stepping up in record numbers. In recent months, the donor base for UNRWA USA has skyrocketed—from a few thousand to nearly 140,000 individuals—raising tens of millions of dollars to help bridge the gap left by federal cuts.
UNRWA USA operates independently from government funding. Its mission is to show Palestinian refugees that Americans care, by advocating for their rights and providing essential humanitarian aid, education, and healthcare support. Every dollar donated empowers the agency to continue its critical work—ensuring that children receive an education, that families have access to healthcare, and that refugees are given a chance to rebuild their lives amid a prolonged crisis.
Now is the time for you to contribute. Whether you choose to give monthly, donate via cryptocurrency, or support specific projects such as educational or health initiatives, your individual donation will have a lasting impact on the lives of millions who are counting on UNRWA USA.
[Donate Now] (https://getinvolved.unrwausa.org)
A Call for UN Reform: Accountability at the Highest Level
The U.S. has long been one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council—a position originally granted to the victorious allies of World War II. However, recent actions reveal a disturbing pattern: a repeated willingness to withdraw from or undermine key multilateral institutions when these bodies do not align with a narrow political agenda. By cutting off funding to UNRWA and disengaging from the UN Human Rights Council, the U.S. signals a profound indifference to the human rights of millions of refugees.
In our view, it is not merely a funding issue—it is a matter of global accountability. When a nation that claims to champion human rights uses its Security Council seat as a shield for policies that inflict suffering on vulnerable populations, it undermines the very principles upon which the United Nations was founded. The U.S. persistent disregard for the human rights of Palestinians should force us to ask: Should a nation that repeatedly prioritizes geopolitical gains over human dignity continue to wield veto power in the Security Council?
It is time for bold reform. We call upon the international community—and indeed the UN itself—to reconsider the privileged position of any member state that shows a blatant disregard for human rights. While removal of a permanent seat from the Security Council is unprecedented and, under current rules, legally challenging, this opinion piece demands that the UN begin a serious, principled debate about accountability. The UN must update its structures to ensure that its permanent members are held to modern standards of human rights and democracy. Until meaningful reforms occur, the U.S. should forfeit its veto power on issues where its policies have directly contributed to human suffering.
The crisis unfolding in Gaza—and the broader neglect of Palestinian refugees—demands urgent action. We must not allow government policy to dictate the fate of millions who depend on UNRWA’s services for survival. At the same time, the international community must confront and reform a system that rewards indifference to human rights violations.
By donating to UNRWA USA, you can help ensure that Palestine refugees continue to receive critical humanitarian aid, education, and healthcare. And by joining the call for UN reform, you help demand that the UN Security Council be a forum of genuine accountability, not a shield for nations that repeatedly compromise human dignity.
Stand with Palestine refugees. Donate now, and let’s demand a UN that truly upholds human rights for all.
[Donate Now] (https://getinvolved.unrwausa.org)
