Published : 21-05-2020
Palestinian refugee from Syria in Lebanon Ibrahim Khaled Mahmoud said he has had his cash grant anonymously withdrawn from a bank in the Lebanese city of Sur.
Ibrahim said he went to Bob Finance bank office as soon as he received the transaction code. After he showed his ID and UNRWA card to the bank staff, he was told to show up at the office the following day to withdraw a sum of one million and 450 thousand Lebanese pounds.
When Ibrahim returned to the office, as he was told to do, he failed to withdraw his cash grant due to overcrowding and decided to return the following day. However, bank staff told him that his cash grant was withdrawn.
Ibrahim asked for an official document proving that he or someone else received the money from the bank. His request has gone unheeded.
Over recent days, Palestinian refugees and activists in Lebanon have strongly condemned the distribution mechanism of cash aid by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
The refugees said they have been subjected to mistreatment by staff at the Bob Finance bank.
They added that the Agency has paid no heed to their safety as no hygiene kit and safety measures have been made available at cash delivery locations.
A video circulated on social media showed a staff member of Bob Finance office as insulting Palestinian refugees lining up in the street to get their cash grants.
In response, UNRWA issued a press statement on May 18 apologizing to the refugees for the mistreatment they have faced at Bob Finance’s bank office.
The Agency pledged to find practical solutions at the earliest possible time to enhance aid distribution mechanisms.
Palestinian refugee from Syria in Lebanon Ibrahim Khaled Mahmoud said he has had his cash grant anonymously withdrawn from a bank in the Lebanese city of Sur.
Ibrahim said he went to Bob Finance bank office as soon as he received the transaction code. After he showed his ID and UNRWA card to the bank staff, he was told to show up at the office the following day to withdraw a sum of one million and 450 thousand Lebanese pounds.
When Ibrahim returned to the office, as he was told to do, he failed to withdraw his cash grant due to overcrowding and decided to return the following day. However, bank staff told him that his cash grant was withdrawn.
Ibrahim asked for an official document proving that he or someone else received the money from the bank. His request has gone unheeded.
Over recent days, Palestinian refugees and activists in Lebanon have strongly condemned the distribution mechanism of cash aid by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
The refugees said they have been subjected to mistreatment by staff at the Bob Finance bank.
They added that the Agency has paid no heed to their safety as no hygiene kit and safety measures have been made available at cash delivery locations.
A video circulated on social media showed a staff member of Bob Finance office as insulting Palestinian refugees lining up in the street to get their cash grants.
In response, UNRWA issued a press statement on May 18 apologizing to the refugees for the mistreatment they have faced at Bob Finance’s bank office.
The Agency pledged to find practical solutions at the earliest possible time to enhance aid distribution mechanisms.
