UNRWA continues to be target for 'misinformation and disinformation'

The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) continues to be the target of “misinformation and disinformation,” its Commissioner-General said today.

In Gaza, “too many” UNRWA humanitarian workers are being killed as the buildings owned by the agency are attacked, said Philippe Lazzarini on social media. “At the same time, @UNRWA continues to be the target of a barrage of misinformation and disinformation.” This, he noted, includes attempts to justify the killing of staff by labelling them as operatives of armed groups like Hamas.

Describing such claims as “horrific,” the official said that they are being made publicly, are not backed by evidence and are dangerous. “Most importantly, they instigate fear among our humanitarian frontline workers in Gaza,” explained Lazzarini. “Several colleagues told us that they no longer feel safe to put on the UNRWA vest.”

He pointed out that employees’ children are begging them not to go to work fearing they might be killed while in UNRWA buildings. “The misinformation attacks are not about the neutrality of #UNRWA or our humanitarian workers.” Their aims, the UNRWA chief suggested, are to distract attention from the atrocities being committed, dehumanise the victims to justify the unbearable, and undermine or eliminate UNRWA, Gaza’s largest humanitarian provider of food, shelter and healthcare.

“Everyone has a responsibility to control the spread of inaccurate or malicious information,” added Lazzarini. “Before sharing, though, check the facts to avoid the trap of putting the lives of others at risk.”

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