EU Contributes EUR 3 Million for Palestine Refugees in Syria

Palestinian women at a UNRWA distribution centre in the Jaramana refugee camp, Damascus, Syria. – UNRWA photo.

Jerusalem, MINA – The European Union (EU) declared on Thursday its contribution of EUR 3 million (about $3.7 million) to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in support of the agency’s 2017 Syria Regional Appeal.

The UNRWA said the donation will help fund emergency cash assistance for more than 16,000 female-headed households, allowing them to cover their most basic needs.

“As the conflict in Syria approaches its eighth year, it is important that we do not forget Palestine refugees, who have been disproportionally affected and the large majority of whom rely on UNRWA to meet their daily needs. Female-headed households, in particular, are struggling,” WAFA reported, citing Michael Ebye-Amanya, Deputy Director of UNRWA Affairs in Syria.

Also Read: UNRWA Commissioner-General Alarmed by Two Major Security Incidents in Lebanon

“We thank to the EU for their continued support of this vulnerable group.”

The EU’s support will also enable the agency to enhance its preparedness and ability to respond to sudden emergencies, which is critical at a time of profound instability throughout the country. It will also support the sustainability of UNRWA protection work in Syria.

“The European Union assists the most vulnerable Palestine refugees in Syria via UNRWA, as it assists the most vulnerable Syrian population all over the country. Targeting of the most vulnerable is of utmost importance for our humanitarian mandate. This translates not only into a support to UNRWA focusing on emergency cash or food assistance, but also protection of sexual violence survivors and child protection programmes directly benefitting 75,000 people,” said the EU Humanitarian Aid’s Syria Head of Office, Youcef Hammache.

Also Read: UAE Voices Concern about Israel's Continued Confiscation of Palestinian Territories

The war in Syria has displaced about 60 per cent of the 438,000 Palestine refugees remaining in country. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)