Published : 01-08-2022
Palestinian refugees in/from Syria have leveled heavy criticism at UNRWA over its reluctance regarding their cries for help.
“We’ve been receiving a few dollars from UNRWA every three or four months in a country where most of us, Palestinian refugees, lost our livelihoods”, a refugee told AGPS.
A refugee said they have been forced to line up for over six hours in overcrowded queues outside of AlHaram Company for international transfer to withdraw their cash aid.
A number of refugees who live at a considerable distance from UNRWA distribution centres said they wake up at the crack of dawn and walk for several kilometers to receive their food aid.
“We have been insulted and our dignity attacked as if we were second-class citizens”, said a refugee.
Palestinian refugees have also denounced the poor healthcare services. Recently, UNRWA has reportedly purchased poor-quality and expired medicines and equipment from the Syrian Health Ministry following a contribution from the government of India.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a medical source said the items are not fit for human use and do not match safety standards.
UNRWA healthcare grants are also limited to patients with chronic diseases. The refugees are often forced to pay 2,000 USD for laboratory tests pending disbursement by UNRWA.
The refugees also said UNRWA has been involved in corrupt recruitment procedures as non-Palestinians affiliated with the Syrian regime have reportedly been recruited by the Agency.
At the same time, in-kind aid items are distributed once or twice a year in a country where price inflation has reached a zenith.
Eleven years after demonstrations started in Syria, some 438,000 Palestinian refugees remain in the war-torn country, where they have been grappling with an abject humanitarian situation.
UNRWA 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.
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.
Palestinian refugees in/from Syria have leveled heavy criticism at UNRWA over its reluctance regarding their cries for help.
“We’ve been receiving a few dollars from UNRWA every three or four months in a country where most of us, Palestinian refugees, lost our livelihoods”, a refugee told AGPS.
A refugee said they have been forced to line up for over six hours in overcrowded queues outside of AlHaram Company for international transfer to withdraw their cash aid.
A number of refugees who live at a considerable distance from UNRWA distribution centres said they wake up at the crack of dawn and walk for several kilometers to receive their food aid.
“We have been insulted and our dignity attacked as if we were second-class citizens”, said a refugee.
Palestinian refugees have also denounced the poor healthcare services. Recently, UNRWA has reportedly purchased poor-quality and expired medicines and equipment from the Syrian Health Ministry following a contribution from the government of India.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a medical source said the items are not fit for human use and do not match safety standards.
UNRWA healthcare grants are also limited to patients with chronic diseases. The refugees are often forced to pay 2,000 USD for laboratory tests pending disbursement by UNRWA.
The refugees also said UNRWA has been involved in corrupt recruitment procedures as non-Palestinians affiliated with the Syrian regime have reportedly been recruited by the Agency.
At the same time, in-kind aid items are distributed once or twice a year in a country where price inflation has reached a zenith.
Eleven years after demonstrations started in Syria, some 438,000 Palestinian refugees remain in the war-torn country, where they have been grappling with an abject humanitarian situation.
UNRWA 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.
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.
