Photo from Wikimedia Commons. Christian Saunders has been appointed the new acting deputy commissioner of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
Saunders will replace Sandra Mitchell, who resigned from her position as deputy commissioner in July. In a December 2018 report, investigators in UNRWA’s ethics office alleged that Mitchell used her position to have her husband, Robert Langridge, appointed as deputy director of UNRWA’s Jordan office in October 2018. Mitchell and Langridge have denied the allegations.
The report also alleges UNRWA’s top leadership engaged in “sexual misconduct, nepotism, retaliation, discrimination and other abuses of authority, for personal gain, to suppress legitimate dissent, and to otherwise achieve their personal objectives” since Commissioner General Pierre Krahenbuhl assumed control of the agency in 2014. Additional allegations include Krahenbuhl was romantically involved with his senior adviser Maria Mohammedi and fast-tracked her appointment to that position in 2015 so she could travel with him. Staffers at the agency claimed when they told Krahenbuhl the relationship created a “toxic environment” he made them feel “increasingly isolated and marginalized” in retaliation, according to the Associated Press. Krahenbuhl has denied the allegations.
The U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services is currently investigating the allegations outlined in the report.
Both Sweden and the Netherlands temporarily suspended funding to UNRWA on July 29. Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon tweeted that day, “The allegations of corruption at the highest levels of UNRWA is revealing, if not surprising. For decades, the organization and its leadership have sold lies to perpetuate the Palestinians’ refugee status. UNRWA is nothing more than an anti-Israel org. Time to hold it accountable.”
The allegations of corruption at the highest levels of UNRWA is revealing, if not surprising. For decades, the organization and its leadership have sold lies to perpetuate the Palestinians’ refugee status. UNRWA is nothing more than an anti-Israel org. Time to hold it accountable
— Danny Danon 🇮🇱 דני דנון (@dannydanon) July 29, 2019
U.N. Watch Executive Director Hillel Neuer tweeted to Krahenbuhl on August 1, “You ‘unreservedly’ reject these ‘rumors or fabrications.’ Yet your top officials resigned in disgrace. Swiss & Dutch froze funding. Only Hamas believes you. Reflect on that.”
.@PKraehenbuehl Report accuses you of nepotism, corruption & sexual misconduct.
You "unreservedly" reject these "rumors or fabrications."
Yet your top officials resigned in disgrace. Swiss & Dutch froze funding.
Only Hamas believes you. Reflect on that.https://t.co/0jYV5eQ0MQ
— Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) August 1, 2019
Neuer also predicted that Saunders would eventually become the acting head of UNRWA.
In wake of the corruption scandal that continues to embroil UNRWA, causing firings and resignations of its top officials, UN announces new acting deputy chief.
Prediction: chief @PKraehenbuehl will soon be fired for sexual misconduct & nepotism—and Saunders becomes acting chief. https://t.co/gL4LZPuyso
— Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) August 1, 2019
Saunders previously served as the UN’s assistant secretary general for supply chain management. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres’ office said in an August 1 statement: “Mr Saunders brings to the position over three decades of experience in humanitarian and international affairs with a strong focus on delivering results and overseeing major reforms leading to improved organizational effectiveness and efficiency.”
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