UN refugee agency in Gaza can't easily be replaced: chief

It is unrealistic to think the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, can easily be replaced, its head said on Thursday in the face of calls for its abolition.

“It is a little bit short-sighted to believe that UNRWA can just technically hand over all its activities to other UN agencies or NGOs,” Philippe Lazzarini told journalists at the agency’s headquarters in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.

“It’s an agency (that’s) quite unique because we are… primarily providing government-like services to one of the most destitute communities in the region,” he said.