Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), held a press conference yesterday at the United Nations headquarters in New York, during which he stressed the need to correct what he described as a “widespread disinformation campaign” targeting the agency. He affirmed that UNRWA continues to operate at full capacity in Gaza and the West Bank despite the withdrawal of international staff for security reasons.
Lazzarini noted that the agency currently employs more than 12,000 staff members in Gaza, providing health, education, and relief services to nearly two million people, and that it remains “the primary provider of essential aid and services to the population.”
When asked about education in Gaza and how to integrate psychosocial support and nutrition into the agency’s education plan, Lazzarini emphasized the importance of ensuring that education is not limited to simply getting children back into classrooms, but also includes guaranteeing their psychological and physical readiness to learn after three years of disruption and the profound hunger and trauma resulting from the war.
The Commissioner-General stated, “A return to traditional education is no longer feasible. Children and teachers alike are living under the weight of accumulated trauma that requires gradual healing.” He explained that the agency has begun creating temporary learning environments to restore some semblance of normalcy to children, focusing on literacy and psychosocial support before resuming full curricula. It is also working to train teachers to be able to assist affected children. He added, “Education has always been a symbol of Palestinian dignity, and it has never been taken from them. Therefore, preserving it is a top priority.”
