On World Humanitarian Day, I pay tribute to our frontline staff

Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General

19 August 2025 - From Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA Commissioner-General as posted on his official X account (previously known as Twitter) 

As we mark World Humanitarian Day, I pay tribute to our front line staff in Gaza.

Since the war began, UNRWA staff have paid a heavy price:

• Nearly  360 personnel have been killed, several in the line of duty;

• ⁠Hundreds have been injured;

• Nearly 50 personnel have been arrested or detained and some were tortured before their release.

Our staff are however not giving up despite the hell they experience daily.

I also pay tribute to UNRWA teams across the region who continue to provide services especially education and primary health care amid immense challenges and against all odds.

As UNRWA goes through existential threats, our teams Act For Humanity.

They deserve support, respect and admiration.

They are committed to continue their mission until a just solution is found to the plight of Palestine Refugees, until the decades-long conflict finally ends through diplomatic and peaceful means.

It's time

It’s overdue.