Finland announced it will discontinue funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) by the end of 2026. This decision follows similar actions by the United States, which under the Trump administration fully banned funding, and Sweden, which halted its donations in December 2024.
The UN agency, which provides aid to Palestinian refugees, is currently under investigation due to allegations of ties to Hamas, the de facto governing body of Gaza. Organizations such as the USAID Office of Inspector General (OIG) and UN Watch have presented findings they allege indicate Hamas infiltration and participation by UNRWA members in the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks in southern Israel.
The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs confirmed the decision to cease funding but did not elaborate on the specific reasons for the change. The ministry stated that no decision has been made regarding alternative international partners for Finland's support to meet acute needs in the region for the upcoming year.
A senior U.S. official, briefed on the ongoing USAID OIG investigation, suggested that the independent findings are prompting other countries to re-evaluate their reliance on UNRWA as the sole provider of aid in Gaza. The official also indicated that these findings aim to prevent Hamas-affiliated staff from joining future aid organizations operating in Gaza.
UN Watch's "Terror Network" report claims that approximately 12% of UNRWA staff in Gaza are members of terror organizations, based on a cross-referencing of employee rosters with Hamas records. Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, stated that Finland's decision is principled and that aid can be redirected through other humanitarian agencies not systemically infiltrated by Hamas, such as the World Food Programme.
Neuer further asserted that dismantling UNRWA is essential for achieving peace in Gaza, arguing that the agency has perpetuated the conflict by focusing on a "right of return" for Palestinians rather than societal development. He characterized the agency as "unreformable" and urged nations to invest in alternative humanitarian relief, deradicalization, and Palestinian self-reliance.
Conversely, Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, acknowledged Finland's announcement and expressed gratitude for past disbursements. He conveyed that the Secretary-General encourages member states to continue supporting UNRWA's work.
Finland's funding agreement with UNRWA was for four years and amounted to approximately $23.23 million. UNRWA has not yet responded to inquiries regarding Finland's decision. Meanwhile, the U.S.-backed Board of Peace initiative seeks to establish a new framework for Gaza's future, emphasizing demilitarization and deradicalization, and intends to partner with vetted organizations to deliver aid.