Standoff with Trump administration sidelines UN refugee agency deputy, sources say
UNHCR told Reuters that Finerty requested a partial waiver from the US government late last month.
The United Nations' refugee agency, UNHCR, has entered a tense standoff with the Trump administration over the deputy head of the organization, Tressa Rae Finerty. The administration is refusing to cooperate with Finerty as she seeks a waiver from the US government to allow her to carry out her duties. Her treatment by Washington is seen by diplomats as a retaliatory response to UNHCR's decision not to choose the administration's preferred candidate, Simon Hankinson.
Finerty, a career US diplomat, is currently unable to interact directly with US officials due to post-employment restrictions. The UNHCR, which relies heavily on donations, especially from the US, which was its largest donor, is now facing one of its worst funding crises. Without a waiver, UNHCR's ability to fundraise with the US may be compromised, impacting its operations and reform agenda.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
