The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Syria urges all participants at today’s International Donor Conference in Brussels to support our urgent financial requirements to receive US$ 16.2 million for the UNRWA 2023 Syria-Lebanon Flash Appeal, to meet the humanitarian and early recovery needs of Palestine Refugees affected by this crisis. The devastating earthquake that struck the north of Syria on 6 February impacted thousands of Palestine Refugees. There are nearly 47,000 affected Palestine Refugees in Aleppo, Latakia, Jableh and Hama. More than 2,300 continue to be displaced. UNRWA was able to respond to the needs of the affected population that it could access, including through food and non-food items like hygiene kits and blankets, psycho-social support for children, and telemedicine support for vulnerable individuals, including older persons. The Agency has distributed cash assistance to families of Palestine Refugees in the affected areas. UNRWA schools have opened and children have received support through catch-up classes and psycho-social support. In addition, there are nearly 10,000 Palestinian Refugees living in north-west Syria who have been affected by the earthquake and are in urgent need of assistance. We call on donors to support all those affected, including Palestine Refugees in these areas so they could receive the assistance they urgently need. UNRWA in Syria is committed to providing crucial assistance to Palestine Refugees in the aftermath of this disaster, but we cannot do this alone. We appeal to donors to join our efforts and prioritize the needs of all those affected by the earthquake, including those in north-west Syria. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those who are most vulnerable and in desperate need of our support. UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The United Nations General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949 with a mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestine refugees in the Agency’s area of operations pending a just and lasting solution to their plight. UNRWA operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, The Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. Tens of thousands of Palestine refugees who lost their homes and livelihoods due to the 1948 conflict continue to be displaced and in need of support, nearly 75 years on. UNRWA helps Palestine Refugees achieve their full potential in human development through quality services it provides in education, health care, relief and social services, protection, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.

Source: News Agency of-Lebnon