THE Scottish Government has not “paused” funding for the UN relief agency in Gaza despite media reports, Humza Yousaf has said.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) sacked several employees last week over suspicions they may have taken part in the October 7 attack on southern Israel, leading to several countries – including the UK – cutting funding.
Scotland has already paid out £750,000 to the agency, but the First Minister said on Sunday that was the limit the country could do in its current financial situation.
It comes after the BBC reported that the Scottish Government had cut aid to the UNRWA, which they have since amended.
READ MORE: UNRWA: UK Government 'contradicts ICJ ruling' with funding pause
“To be clear, @scotgov has not paused or withdrawn aid to @UNRWA,” Yousaf wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“We have previously provided as much as we can within our financial constraints.
“We will always seek to do more where we can & urge others to continue to provide aid to the people of Gaza.”
A statement provided to the media at the weekend from the Scottish Government said it had requested updates on the UNRWA investigation and there were “no plans” for further funding.
In a statement on Saturday, the head of UNRWA Philippe Lazzarini said: “It is shocking to see a suspension of funds to the agency in reaction to allegations against a small group of staff, especially given the immediate action that UNRWA took by terminating their contracts and asking for a transparent independent investigation.
“The United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), the highest investigative authority in the UN system, has already been seized of this very serious matter.”
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