Damascus – Yarmouk Camp
A large coordination meeting was held on April 15 in Yarmouk camp, south of the Syrian capital Damascus. The meeting brought together a delegation from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the General Authority for Palestinian Arab Refugees, and representatives from the local community to discuss the conditions in Palestinian refugee camps and their service and living needs.
During the meeting, UNRWA Acting Commissioner-General Christian Saunders reviewed the most prominent challenges facing the agency under the current circumstances. He emphasized UNRWA’s continued commitment to implementing modernization and development plans without compromising its UN mandate, with a focus on expanding livelihood programs and enhancing access to loans for targeted groups.
For its part, the General Authority for Palestinian Arab Refugees reaffirmed its commitment to the rights of refugees, emphasizing its supervisory and participatory role in monitoring UNRWA projects and ensuring their proper implementation.
The meeting addressed several pressing issues, most notably strengthening standards of fairness and transparency in recruitment processes and improving basic services and the education sector within the camps. The UNRWA delegation pledged to study the demands and respond to them within available resources.
In a related development, the launch of a €2 million project funded by the Italian government was announced. This project aims to rehabilitate schools and basic service infrastructure within Yarmouk camp, contributing to a safer learning environment for children, the resumption of the educational process, and support for the most vulnerable groups.
Prior to the meeting, the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor met with a joint delegation to discuss ways to enhance support for Palestinian refugees in Syria, as well as the issue of voluntary return.
Mr. Sayed Al-Masri, Assistant Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Authority, affirmed that the Authority has consistently monitored the affairs and needs of Palestinian refugees and has continuously sought to intensify meetings with UNRWA and relevant parties to develop appropriate service projects. He added that the Authority will follow up on the implementation of these announced projects in coordination with relevant government bodies and in partnership with UNRWA. He also noted that the Authority continues to support UNRWA’s work and strengthen its presence, and to work with partners and donors to improve living conditions in the camps, thereby achieving a more effective response to the needs of the residents.