Published : 05-03-2022
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been causing knock-on effects globally. The situation of Palestinian refugees, particularly those sheltered in war-torn Syria, has been greatly impacted.
Prices of food and non-food items have skyrocketed and the exchange rate of the Syrian pound has further deteriorated (1 USD/3,900 SP, up from 3,500).
One liter of oil has reached up to 10,000 SP while a kilogram of rice is sold at 7,000. The cost of one kilogram of ghee is estimated at 13,000 SP.
Eleven years after demonstrations started in Syria, the majority of Palestinian refugees sheltered in the war-torn country have been grappling with an abject humanitarian situation.
UN data indicates that over half of the Palestine refugees in the country have been displaced at least once because of the brutal conflict that ensued, including 120,000 who have sought safety in neighbouring countries, mainly Lebanon and Jordan, and beyond;
438,000 Palestine refugees remain in the country – 91 per cent of whom live in absolute poverty - and who have been among those worst affected by the conflict.
Over 80% of PRS live in extreme poverty and rely on humanitarian assistance as their main source of income. 86% of PRS households are reported to be in debt.
In another development, the Mahmoud Abbas Foundation said it will be covering the first semester installments of Palestinian refugee students in Lebanon and those coming from Syria who benefited from grants offered by the Foundation.
In a statement, the Abbas Foundation said 1,800 students enrolled at 15 universities have benefited from the scholarship program.
Even before the pandemic and the financial meltdown of Lebanon, Palestine refugees lived in poverty and faced systemic restrictions that limited their employment, property ownership and, at times, movement. Joblessness has been high in Palestine refugee camps for many years, but the collapse of the Lebanese economy in the last few months has left many of them feeling desperate, especially as UNRWA has been struggling with an acute financial crisis itself. COVID-19 has been the latest in a series of recent devastating blows to a community that has suffered marginalization and uncertainty for decades.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been causing knock-on effects globally. The situation of Palestinian refugees, particularly those sheltered in war-torn Syria, has been greatly impacted.
Prices of food and non-food items have skyrocketed and the exchange rate of the Syrian pound has further deteriorated (1 USD/3,900 SP, up from 3,500).
One liter of oil has reached up to 10,000 SP while a kilogram of rice is sold at 7,000. The cost of one kilogram of ghee is estimated at 13,000 SP.
Eleven years after demonstrations started in Syria, the majority of Palestinian refugees sheltered in the war-torn country have been grappling with an abject humanitarian situation.
UN data indicates that over half of the Palestine refugees in the country have been displaced at least once because of the brutal conflict that ensued, including 120,000 who have sought safety in neighbouring countries, mainly Lebanon and Jordan, and beyond;
438,000 Palestine refugees remain in the country – 91 per cent of whom live in absolute poverty - and who have been among those worst affected by the conflict.
Over 80% of PRS live in extreme poverty and rely on humanitarian assistance as their main source of income. 86% of PRS households are reported to be in debt.
In another development, the Mahmoud Abbas Foundation said it will be covering the first semester installments of Palestinian refugee students in Lebanon and those coming from Syria who benefited from grants offered by the Foundation.
In a statement, the Abbas Foundation said 1,800 students enrolled at 15 universities have benefited from the scholarship program.
Even before the pandemic and the financial meltdown of Lebanon, Palestine refugees lived in poverty and faced systemic restrictions that limited their employment, property ownership and, at times, movement. Joblessness has been high in Palestine refugee camps for many years, but the collapse of the Lebanese economy in the last few months has left many of them feeling desperate, especially as UNRWA has been struggling with an acute financial crisis itself. COVID-19 has been the latest in a series of recent devastating blows to a community that has suffered marginalization and uncertainty for decades.
