UNRWA appeals for $817m to support Palestine refugees

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has launched an appeal to collect $817 million for the relief of refugees in Syria and the Palestinian territories who have been affected “by the conflict, the occupation and the siege therein”.

In a press statement issued yesterday, UNRWA stressed that the majority of Palestine refugees in Syria, totalling 450,000, have become “homeless”, while 95 per cent rely on the agency for assistance.

It pointed out that thousands of refugees are still being “trapped” in the “active conflict zones” suffering enormously. Tens of thousands have fled to Jordan and Lebanon and they are experiencing a “marginalised and desperate presence”, according to the agency.

The agency said that Palestine refugees are “suffering from permanent consequences of an occupation for about fifty years as well as a constant siege for a decade, both have been affecting all aspects of life.”

The UNRWA statement said that the number of citizens who rely on humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip rose to 830,000, in comparison to approximately 80,000 in 2000.

It added that several thousands in the West Bank are under threat of “forced displacement and expulsion” due to settlement activity.

Also read:

• Expelling the Palestinians from Lebanon: a systematic policy.
• UNRWA received only 20% of funds needed for reconstruct of Gaza.