UNRWA Launches USD 813 Million-Worth Appeals for Palestinian Refugees

UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krähenbühl.

Gaza, 11 Rabiul Akhir 1438/10 January 2017 (MINA) – UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) launched Monday two international appeals totaling USD 813 million to provide emergency aid to Palestinians in West Bank and Gaza Strip and regional countries.

Up to “1.6 million Palestine refugees, who are more insecure than ever and whose needs are growing, require our resolute action. I call for urgent and generous support from the international community,” MUNA quoted UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krahenbuhl as saying in a press statement.

The statement noted that the Agency’s 2017 Emergency Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory, totaling USD 402 million, aims to address the priority humanitarian needs of Palestine refugees in both Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

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In Gaza some 911,500 refugees will continue to benefit from UNRWA emergency food aid.

The Agency will also provide rental assistance to over 6,500 refugee families who lost their homes during the 2014 hostilities and support for repairs for over 50,000 refugee families whose homes were damaged or destroyed.

In the West Bank including East Jerusalem, the UNRWA Cash-for-Work Programme will benefit some 8,000 food-insecure Palestine refugees.

A further 155,000 Palestine refugees will receive food vouchers and our food distribution programme will bring benefits to 36,000 vulnerable Bedouin and herders across Area C.

The statement indicated that the Agency’s 2017 Emergency Appeal for the Syria Regional Crisis in the amount of USD 411 million aims to provide humanitarian assistance, protection and basic services to 430,000 Palestine refugees inside Syria and in dire need of sustained assistance, as well as over 30,000 who have fled to Lebanon and nearly 17,000 who have fled to Jordan, where they face a precarious existence.

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“With its dynamic and flexible operations, carried out by 4,000 mainly Palestinian staff, UNRWA is the largest direct provider of assistance to Palestine refugees affected by the Syria conflict,” reads the statement.

“Interventions include cash assistance, water and sanitation, food and essential non-food items, shelter, health, education, livelihoods, microfinance and protection.” (T/RS05/RS01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)