Now that the situation is escalating in Lebanon as well, it means that three of the UN agency's areas of operation are turning into active front lines, says Lazzarini. He calls the situation a "triple tragedy".
The fear is that we are entering an all-out war. Another concern is that parts of Lebanon will become like Gaza, says Lazzarini to the AFP news agency during the UN General Assembly.
At least 222 UNRWA employees have been killed in Gaza since the war began on October 7, when Hamas attacked Israel. Two-thirds of UNRWA's facilities in Gaza have been damaged and destroyed.
Furthermore, the needs will increase if the situation worsens in Lebanon – which will further burden the already struggling UN agency.
Several countries paused their donations to UNRWA earlier this year after Israel accused several of its employees in Gaza of being involved in the attacks on October 7. Most donors have since resumed financing, with the exception of the USA, which was UNRWA's largest financier.
UNRWA has sufficient funding until the end of October, says Philippe Lazzarini.
He is hosting a donor conference, in connection with the UN General Assembly, aimed at securing more support.
