Published : 02-12-2018
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has conducted a damage assessment of its installations in the refugee camps of Yarmouk, near Damascus, and Deraa, South of Syria.
The Agency said it has 23 premises including 16 schools in Yarmouk. Almost all UNRWA premises need major repairs; 75% need to be completely rebuilt and all three of the Agency’s health centers in Yarmouk are completely destroyed.
In Deraa camp, only one distribution centre has been left untouched. The other six installations, including three school buildings and a clinic will need substantial repairs.
UNRWA welcomed the recent decision by the Syrian government to allow Palestine refugees to return to their homes in Deraa camp and to Yarmouk camp in the near future.
Once the government re-establishes basic infrastructure like electricity and water and ensures it is safe to enter by clearing the camp of rubble and possible unexploded remnants of war (ERW), the Agency will aim to repair UNRWA facilities that have been damaged or destroyed in order to serve the refugee population and fulfill its mandate, the Agency vowed.
However, UNRWA is facing a severe funding crisis. The Agency’s 2018 Emergency Appeal for Syria is just 16 per cent funded, out of total requirements of USD 329 million.
UNRWA called on the international community to provide support to allow the Agency to provide core services, including health services and education, to Palestine refugees in Syria who return to their homes in the camps.
UNRWA is confronted with an increased demand for services resulting from a growth in the number of registered Palestine refugees, the extent of their vulnerability, and their deepening poverty. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions and financial support has been outpaced by the growth in needs. As a result, the UNRWA program budget, which supports the delivery of core essential services, operates with a large shortfall.
UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and mandated to provide assistance and protection to some 5.4 million Palestine refugees registered with UNRWA across its five fields of operation, pending a just and lasting solution to their plight.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has conducted a damage assessment of its installations in the refugee camps of Yarmouk, near Damascus, and Deraa, South of Syria.
The Agency said it has 23 premises including 16 schools in Yarmouk. Almost all UNRWA premises need major repairs; 75% need to be completely rebuilt and all three of the Agency’s health centers in Yarmouk are completely destroyed.
In Deraa camp, only one distribution centre has been left untouched. The other six installations, including three school buildings and a clinic will need substantial repairs.
UNRWA welcomed the recent decision by the Syrian government to allow Palestine refugees to return to their homes in Deraa camp and to Yarmouk camp in the near future.
Once the government re-establishes basic infrastructure like electricity and water and ensures it is safe to enter by clearing the camp of rubble and possible unexploded remnants of war (ERW), the Agency will aim to repair UNRWA facilities that have been damaged or destroyed in order to serve the refugee population and fulfill its mandate, the Agency vowed.
However, UNRWA is facing a severe funding crisis. The Agency’s 2018 Emergency Appeal for Syria is just 16 per cent funded, out of total requirements of USD 329 million.
UNRWA called on the international community to provide support to allow the Agency to provide core services, including health services and education, to Palestine refugees in Syria who return to their homes in the camps.
UNRWA is confronted with an increased demand for services resulting from a growth in the number of registered Palestine refugees, the extent of their vulnerability, and their deepening poverty. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions and financial support has been outpaced by the growth in needs. As a result, the UNRWA program budget, which supports the delivery of core essential services, operates with a large shortfall.
UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and mandated to provide assistance and protection to some 5.4 million Palestine refugees registered with UNRWA across its five fields of operation, pending a just and lasting solution to their plight.
