Published : 15-02-2022
Palestinian refugees displaced from Syria to Lebanon have closed off the headquarters of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Sidon.
The move comes in protest of the Agency’s decision to reduce cash aid for Palestinian refugee families from Syria (PRS).
The protesters strongly condemned the decision which they said is a sign of apathy regarding the abject humanitarian condition already endured by the Palestinian refugee community in displacement camps across the Lebanese territories.
They added that the decision is also a serious breach of UNRWA’s humanitarian mission as mandated by the UN and the Agency’s promise to assist Palestinian refugees in its five fields of operation, including Lebanon.
Palestinian refugees have urged UNRWA to work on their unconditional return to their homes from which they have been displaced by the Israeli occupation since 1948.
By the end of 2021, UNRWA said that starting 2022, multi-purpose monthly cash grants of 100 USD to every registered PRS will be reduced to 25 USD per person.
The Agency also said every PRS will receive an additional cash grant of 150 USD on two batches in 2022. UNRWA will suspend its food allowances for PRS in Lebanon.
At the same time, a number of NGOs leveled heavy criticism at UNRWA and urged the Agency to backtrack on the new measures which they said would result in further despair for PRS.
Palestinian refugees displaced from Syria to Lebanon have closed off the headquarters of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Sidon.
The move comes in protest of the Agency’s decision to reduce cash aid for Palestinian refugee families from Syria (PRS).
The protesters strongly condemned the decision which they said is a sign of apathy regarding the abject humanitarian condition already endured by the Palestinian refugee community in displacement camps across the Lebanese territories.
They added that the decision is also a serious breach of UNRWA’s humanitarian mission as mandated by the UN and the Agency’s promise to assist Palestinian refugees in its five fields of operation, including Lebanon.
Palestinian refugees have urged UNRWA to work on their unconditional return to their homes from which they have been displaced by the Israeli occupation since 1948.
By the end of 2021, UNRWA said that starting 2022, multi-purpose monthly cash grants of 100 USD to every registered PRS will be reduced to 25 USD per person.
The Agency also said every PRS will receive an additional cash grant of 150 USD on two batches in 2022. UNRWA will suspend its food allowances for PRS in Lebanon.
At the same time, a number of NGOs leveled heavy criticism at UNRWA and urged the Agency to backtrack on the new measures which they said would result in further despair for PRS.
