Published : 10-02-2017
The Government of Italy, through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), has contributed EUR 2.25 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in support of the Agency’s emergency operations in response to the ongoing Syria crisis.
According to UNRWA, the latest contribution from Italy will go towards addressing the needs of Palestinian refugees who have been affected by the conflict. Of the total contribution, EUR 1.5 million will ensure the continued delivery of critical education and health-care services to some 56,300 Palestinian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon, the majority of whom are Palestinian refugees from Syria.
The remaining EUR 750,000 will provide food assistance for more than 45,000 Palestinian refugees in Syria and support education services for roughly 25,000 Palestinian refugee school children enrolled at 101 UNRWA-run schools still operating in the country.
“We are truly grateful to the government and people of Italy for this generous contribution, which will have a significant impact on Palestine refugees whose lives have been heavily affected by the ongoing conflict,” said John Griffith, Officer-in-Charge of UNRWA Affairs in Syria. “With this tragic crisis approaching its seventh year, we continue to rely on the support of our donors and partners to answer the critical needs of Palestine refugees in Syria and throughout the region.”
Denmark has also contributed DKK 25 million (approximately US$ 3.6 million) to UNRWA in support of the Agency’s core programs and services in Lebanon.
This contribution will help ensure that it can continue to provide basic services in education, health, relief and social services, and camp improvement to Palestinian refugees, providing opportunities for their futures and mitigating the incidence and impact of poverty, a statement by UNRWA read.
“I am happy that Denmark has been able to make an extra contribution to UNRWA’s important work of trying to make life more tolerable for Palestine refugees,” said Ulla Tørnæs, the Danish Minister for Development Cooperation. “UNRWA’s work in Lebanon assisting Palestine refugees is crucial, both from a humanitarian perspective and for regional stability. Many of the refugees have fled from the hostilities in Syria and are refugees for a second time.”
During 2016, the conflict in Syria continued with intensity and unpredictability, resulting in further loss of civilian life and material destruction. Of the estimated 450,000 Palestinian refugees who remain inside Syria, over 95 per cent (430,000) are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance to survive, UNRWA warned.
The agency added that over 120,000 Palestinian refugees from Syria (PRS) have fled the country, including around 31,000 to Lebanon and 16,000 to Jordan.
Many refugees in Lebanon and Jordan have also been pushed into a precarious and marginalized existence due to their uncertain legal status and face limited social protection, making them heavily reliant on UNRWA for their basic needs, the statement proceeded.
The Government of Italy, through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), has contributed EUR 2.25 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in support of the Agency’s emergency operations in response to the ongoing Syria crisis.
According to UNRWA, the latest contribution from Italy will go towards addressing the needs of Palestinian refugees who have been affected by the conflict. Of the total contribution, EUR 1.5 million will ensure the continued delivery of critical education and health-care services to some 56,300 Palestinian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon, the majority of whom are Palestinian refugees from Syria.
The remaining EUR 750,000 will provide food assistance for more than 45,000 Palestinian refugees in Syria and support education services for roughly 25,000 Palestinian refugee school children enrolled at 101 UNRWA-run schools still operating in the country.
“We are truly grateful to the government and people of Italy for this generous contribution, which will have a significant impact on Palestine refugees whose lives have been heavily affected by the ongoing conflict,” said John Griffith, Officer-in-Charge of UNRWA Affairs in Syria. “With this tragic crisis approaching its seventh year, we continue to rely on the support of our donors and partners to answer the critical needs of Palestine refugees in Syria and throughout the region.”
Denmark has also contributed DKK 25 million (approximately US$ 3.6 million) to UNRWA in support of the Agency’s core programs and services in Lebanon.
This contribution will help ensure that it can continue to provide basic services in education, health, relief and social services, and camp improvement to Palestinian refugees, providing opportunities for their futures and mitigating the incidence and impact of poverty, a statement by UNRWA read.
“I am happy that Denmark has been able to make an extra contribution to UNRWA’s important work of trying to make life more tolerable for Palestine refugees,” said Ulla Tørnæs, the Danish Minister for Development Cooperation. “UNRWA’s work in Lebanon assisting Palestine refugees is crucial, both from a humanitarian perspective and for regional stability. Many of the refugees have fled from the hostilities in Syria and are refugees for a second time.”
During 2016, the conflict in Syria continued with intensity and unpredictability, resulting in further loss of civilian life and material destruction. Of the estimated 450,000 Palestinian refugees who remain inside Syria, over 95 per cent (430,000) are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance to survive, UNRWA warned.
The agency added that over 120,000 Palestinian refugees from Syria (PRS) have fled the country, including around 31,000 to Lebanon and 16,000 to Jordan.
Many refugees in Lebanon and Jordan have also been pushed into a precarious and marginalized existence due to their uncertain legal status and face limited social protection, making them heavily reliant on UNRWA for their basic needs, the statement proceeded.
