Erdogan Announces UNRWA Office in Turkey, Urges Stronger Global Support for Palestinian Refugees

 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared on Saturday that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) will soon open an office in Ankara. The announcement came during a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers in Istanbul, where Erdogan also called for increased international backing for the agency amid deepening humanitarian concerns in Gaza.

Erdogan described UNRWA as a crucial lifeline for millions of displaced Palestinians and strongly criticised Israel’s attempts to restrict the agency’s operations. “We must not allow UNRWA to be paralyzed by Israel’s political maneuvers,” Erdogan stated, urging fellow Muslim nations to contribute more robustly—both financially and diplomatically—to safeguard the agency’s independence and effectiveness.

The move comes after Israel accused UNRWA of employing individuals connected to Hamas, following the militant group’s October 2023 attacks. Israel subsequently barred UNRWA from operating within Gaza and shifted aid distribution responsibilities to the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a decision that has drawn criticism from international aid organizations concerned about politicization and efficiency.

Turkey has been a key supporter of UNRWA, contributing $10 million annually between 2023 and 2025, in addition to $5 million in emergency aid through its disaster response agency, AFAD, in 2024. The agreement to establish the Ankara office is expected to be formalized during the OIC gathering, with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini set to sign the accord.

This development underscores Turkey’s strategic positioning as a strong advocate for Palestinian humanitarian efforts, amid growing global concern over the deteriorating conditions in Gaza. Erdogan’s appeal signals a broader push to shield UNRWA from political pressure and ensure the continued delivery of essential services to refugees in the region.