UNRWA Staff Cuts Deepen Humanitarian Strain in Gaza Amid Aid Restrictions
Gaza City — January 30, 2026
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has announced major staff reductions and salary cuts in Gaza as Israel continues to restrict access to critical humanitarian aid, deepening an already severe crisis in the besieged enclave.
Staff Layoffs and Salary Reductions
Earlier this month, UNRWA revealed austerity measures affecting hundreds of employees. The agency laid off 600 staff members, reduced working hours, and imposed a 20 percent salary cut for local staff in Gaza. Employees outside Gaza on “exceptional leave” also faced contract terminations.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini explained in a letter to staff that the agency faces a $220 million shortfall in its 2026 budget. The deficit threatens its ability to pay salaries and continue essential humanitarian programs.
Personal Impact on Staff
Maryam Shaaban (name changed), a 52-year-old teacher who spent 18 years at a UNRWA-run school in Jabalia, fainted upon learning she had been dismissed. She is currently displaced in Egypt with her injured husband after surviving Israel’s war on Gaza.
Shaaban’s family endured immense suffering. During the conflict, they were displaced from Jabalia to Nuseirat, where they sought refuge in her brother’s home. A direct Israeli airstrike in December 2023 killed 15 people, including her 22-year-old daughter, her brother, and his family, and injured dozens more.
Worsening Humanitarian Crisis
The agency’s financial crisis comes at a time when restrictions on humanitarian aid are limiting the delivery of food, medicine, and other essential services. UNRWA warned that the cuts and layoffs will affect its ability to meet the needs of Palestinian refugees, leaving vulnerable communities without vital support.
Lazzarini emphasized that despite budget pressures, UNRWA remains committed to assisting refugees. However, the combined challenges of staff reductions, funding shortfalls, and restricted aid access have left the agency struggling to sustain its programs.
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