Jordan: Unrwa salary cuts raise fear of agency’s ‘dismantling’

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has implemented a 20 percent cut in salaries and working hours for its staff in Jordan, sparking fears of the agency's dismantling. These austerity measures, a response to a $200 million funding gap, have created a financial shock for employees who are now struggling to afford basic necessities like food and are forced to cancel health insurance. Staff members express constant fear of further cuts to their benefits and savings. The agency's financial crisis is occurring amidst an intense Israeli campaign calling for its closure, which has included attacks on its staff and facilities during the war in Gaza.