UNITED NATIONS, March 31 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has designated Christian Saunders, special coordinator on improving the UN response to sexual exploitation and abuse, as acting chief of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), his spokesperson said Tuesday.

In anticipation of UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini's end of term on June 30, 2026, the UN secretary-general has designated Saunders as officer-in-charge of UNRWA from April 1 to June 30, 2026 and acting commissioner-general of UNRWA from July 1, 2026 until further notice, spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a note to correspondents.

The UN chief reiterated his profound support and appreciation to UNRWA staff for the crucial work performed in the areas of health, education and humanitarian assistance under extremely difficult conditions, the note said.

The secretary-general reiterated that it is critical that UN member states and other partners remain committed to UNRWA and the services it provides in a volatile region, it added. ■