UNRWA issued a call on Wednesday urging its partners to continue supporting Palestine Refugees affected by the 13-year conflict in Syria, as well as those who have sought refuge in neighboring Lebanon and Jordan. The agency is seeking $415.4 million to sustain its operations in these three countries, which have faced chronic underfunding.

Natalie Boucly, UNRWA’s Deputy Commissioner-General for Programmes and Partnerships, emphasized the importance of ongoing support for Palestine Refugees amidst the crisis in Syria. Boucly launched the appeal in Beirut, stressing that while attention is focused on the unfolding situation in Gaza, humanitarian needs in other conflict-affected regions should not be neglected.

UNRWA has long been providing humanitarian aid to alleviate the impact of the Syria conflict on Palestine Refugees and to address the worsening socio-economic conditions of vulnerable refugees in Lebanon and Jordan. The funds from this appeal will support various initiatives including cash and in-kind food assistance, healthcare, education, and vocational training.

Despite increasing needs, funding for UNRWA's emergency appeals for Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan has decreased in recent years, with coverage dropping to just 27 percent in 2023. The situation worsened further in 2021 and 2022, with funding covering only around half and 40 percent respectively.

Boucly highlighted the precarious funding situation of UNRWA, especially in light of the challenges posed by the conflict in Gaza. She stressed that without sufficient funding, UNRWA will struggle to maintain its level of humanitarian assistance, which is already minimal.

Given Lebanon's ongoing economic crisis, poverty rates among Palestine Refugees have soared to around 80 percent, outstripping UNRWA's capacity to respond effectively. In Lebanon alone, approximately 168,000 Palestine Refugees rely on UNRWA for emergency cash distributions to meet their basic needs.

The situation is further exacerbated by rising tensions along Lebanon's southern border, causing anxiety among the Palestine Refugee community, particularly those residing in refugee camps. Violence among Palestinian factions in Ein El Hilweh, Lebanon’s largest refugee camp, has had a severe impact on the community, damaging UNRWA schools and forcing the agency to establish temporary facilities outside the camp.

Palestine Refugees from Syria face additional challenges, including expired civil documentation and difficulties obtaining residency and employment permits. As a result, they are heavily reliant on UNRWA's cash assistance for basic necessities such as rent and food.

UNRWA's appeal aims to address these pressing needs by providing cash assistance for food, rent, and winterization for Palestine Refugees from Syria and other vulnerable refugees in Lebanon, as well as emergency healthcare and education services.