Yerica Lai, Jakarta – Indonesia will continue its annual US$1.2 million contribution to the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, with Foreign Minister Sugiono calling for greater international support for the organization amid mounting political and financial pressure.
On Thursday, Sugiono joined a UN ministerial session where governments consolidated financial backing for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
Speaking at the meeting, the minister said Indonesia would maintain its annual contribution to UNRWA.
"Indonesia's commitment remains firm and consistent," Sugiono said on Thursday. "The agency must be able to carry out its mandate fully and effectively, because millions of Palestinian refugees depend on its existence."
The minister also called for protection for UNRWA staff and facilities, as well as sustained funding for the agency. He further urged the international community to protect the body's credibility and integrity against what he described as disinformation and efforts to undermine its work.
At the same meeting, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said UNRWA was facing a severe financial crisis due to a cash shortfall of $100 million, putting operations at risk and threatening the welfare of millions of Palestinian refugees.
He called on UN member states to take immediate action as the agency's capacity to act was "seriously imperiled" while regional stability was at "stake".
The secretary-general further said nearly 400 members of UNRWA's workforce in Gaza had been killed, with hundreds of premises in the Occupied Palestinian Territory made "inaccessible, severely damaged or utterly destroyed".
"These actions are wholly unacceptable and inconsistent with Israel's obligations under international law, including the UN Charter," Guterres said.
One day after the meeting, Sugiono separately met with International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) president Mirjana Spoljaric Egger to discuss humanitarian issues and the protection of civilians in conflict zones, particularly in Gaza.
They agreed to strengthen humanitarian cooperation through concrete collaboration, according to statements from the Foreign Ministry.
Observers saw Indonesia depart from its long-standing support for Palestine and reluctance to establish ties with Israel during President Prabowo Subianto's address to the UN General Assembly in 2025.
In his debut appearance in the forum, the President signaled the country could recognize Israel should it recognize Palestine. Prabowo also stated Indonesia would guarantee Israel's security during one of the meetings at last year's UN high-level week.
But experts saw Indonesia repositioning itself toward its initial course, marked by the walkout by Indonesian representatives during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech at the General Assembly, as well as a string of Palestine-related meetings attended by Sugiono in New York.
Source: https://asianews.network/indonesia-pledges-us1-2-million-reaffirms-support-for-unrwa