Christian Saunders, Acting Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), has concluded a three-day visit to Egypt, his first official mission since assuming office. During the visit, he met with senior Egyptian officials, diplomats, and partners to discuss the future of UNRWA, the operational and financial challenges facing the Agency, and broader regional developments.
According to a UNRWA statement distributed by the United Nations Information Centre in Cairo to media outlets and obtained by Diplomatic Correspondent, Saunders said: “I deeply appreciate Egypt’s continued and strong support for UNRWA, and I commend the Egyptian Red Crescent for its outstanding humanitarian response efforts in Gaza.”
Meetings in Cairo
During his visit, Saunders met with Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Dr. Amal Imam, Executive Director of the Egyptian Red Crescent. He also held discussions with representatives of several partner countries, including Ambassador Saleh bin Eid Al-Husseini, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Egypt, who hosted a diplomatic gathering attended by ambassadors from a number of Arab and Islamic countries, as well as representatives of the League of Arab States.
Saunders also participated in a high-level discussion convened by Ambassador Sergio Román Carranza Forster, Spain’s Ambassador to Egypt, bringing together ambassadors of European Union member states and other partner countries to discuss regional developments and ways to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
In addition, Saunders briefed his interlocutors on UNRWA’s operational and financial situation, highlighting the significant challenges facing the Agency and the impact of funding shortfalls on the continuity of essential services provided to millions of Palestine refugees across its five fields of operation.
The Acting Commissioner-General reaffirmed UNRWA’s ongoing role as the backbone of service delivery for Palestine refugees, emphasizing the Agency’s extensive operational capacity, well-established infrastructure, and experienced workforce. He also stressed the importance of maintaining education, healthcare, relief and social services, and psychosocial support amid growing humanitarian needs.
The Importance of Financial Support for UNRWA
Looking ahead, Saunders underscored the importance of investing in young people through education, skills development, and opportunities that enable them to build a more secure and self-reliant future. He highlighted UNRWA’s critical role in supporting livelihoods and emphasized that continued political and financial support for the Agency remains essential to sustaining hope, dignity, and stability for future generations.
“UNRWA remains a lifeline for more than three million Palestine refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria,” Saunders said. “The Agency provides education to approximately 500,000 children and healthcare services to nearly 2.5 million patients. However, services alone are not enough. Young Palestine refugees need skills, employment opportunities, and pathways that allow them to build their futures with dignity and hope. Investing in education and livelihoods today is an investment in resilience and opportunity for generations to come.”
Saunders also stressed the importance of engaging in a constructive and forward-looking dialogue on the future of UNRWA, reiterating the Agency’s vital role in supporting recovery efforts and contributing to regional stability.
About UNRWA
UNRWA is the United Nations agency mandated to provide assistance and protection to Palestine refugees. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1949 to deliver humanitarian aid and protection to registered Palestine refugees pending a just and lasting solution to their plight.
The Agency operates in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, as well as in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. UNRWA enables Palestine refugees to achieve their full potential, live with dignity, and enjoy healthy and productive lives.
Through a human development approach, UNRWA delivers high-quality services in education, healthcare, relief and social services, protection, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. The Agency relies almost entirely on voluntary contributions to sustain these vital services.
Christian Saunders assumed the role of Acting Commissioner-General of UNRWA in April 2026, following the completion of Philippe Lazzarini’s term as Commissioner-General on March 31, 2026.
Egypt is not one of UNRWA’s five fields of operation, and therefore the Agency does not provide direct services within the country. However, UNRWA’s Representative Office in Cairo plays an important role in liaising and coordinating with the Government of Egypt, the League of Arab States, and diplomatic partners in support of the Agency’s mandate and advocacy efforts.
