GAZA, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of Palestinians, employed by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), on Monday demonstrated against salary reduction in Gaza City.

The UNRWA Staff Union organized the protest opposite the agency's main headquarters in the city. The participants raised banners rejecting cutting and delaying their salaries.

Amir al-Mesehal, chairman of the union, said that the union rejects any negotiations on the employees' rights.

Earlier on Monday, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said that the agency received a 20 million-U.S.-dollar loan from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).

Lazzarini said the loan is the last one to help with cash flow and covers part of the November payroll.

"Based on the funds available, I will decide later this week if we proceed with partial payment of salaries at the end of the month or delay full payment," said Lazzarini.

He added that the UNRWA still desperately needs 70 million U.S. dollars.

"If we do not secure the funds for November and December salaries, the agency will continue to lack the cash needed to operate in January, according to the currently available information on 2021 contributions," said Lazzarini.

He noted that "this is the first time in memory that UNRWA has reached the cliff's edge with no money on hand nor confirmed pledges to cover two months of salaries."

Lazzarini warned that "above all, failure to pay salaries will disrupt UNRWA's operations," adding that "it will trigger a humanitarian crisis within the community of 5.7 million Palestinian refugees in the region." Enditem

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