Published : 22-02-2025
Action Group | Jordan
Amid growing discontent among Palestinian refugees from Syria, thousands in Jordan and Lebanon are facing a worsening humanitarian crisis due to decisions by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) regarding cash assistance.
Since the end of 2023, UNRWA has suddenly decided to cancel winter assistance, and by the beginning of 2024, it has not committed to disbursing any regular payments, which has led to increasing economic pressures on refugees. The delay in disbursing assistance – which exceeded two months – has angered beneficiaries, especially with the agency requiring the provision of a “digital identity” for refugees over the age of 18.
In another step that has exacerbated the crisis, UNRWA sent letters to refugees informing them that the disbursement of assistance will be limited to the protection department only, which includes document holders and refugees who do not have identification papers.
The agency confirmed that priority will be given to the most vulnerable cases due to the decrease in funding, which has raised widespread concerns about the fate of thousands of needy families.
The situation in Lebanon is not much different.
In Lebanon, Syrian Palestinian activists met with the Director of UNRWA in Lebanon, Dorothee Klaus, where they were informed that emergency financial assistance to Palestinian refugees from Syria has been frozen until next month. The meeting discussed several vital issues related to the refugees’ situation, including the future of cash assistance, amidst uncertainty about when it will be disbursed in the future.
For its part, UNRWA expressed its regret over the deteriorating funding situation, stressing that it is making intensive efforts to secure the necessary funding and will keep refugees informed of any developments. It explained that the financial crisis affects all international organizations operating in Jordan and Lebanon, which has affected their ability to provide the necessary support.
As the crisis continues, activists are increasingly calling for urgent solutions to ensure the continuity of humanitarian support for Palestinian refugees from Syria, amid increasingly difficult living conditions.
Action Group | Jordan
Amid growing discontent among Palestinian refugees from Syria, thousands in Jordan and Lebanon are facing a worsening humanitarian crisis due to decisions by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) regarding cash assistance.
Since the end of 2023, UNRWA has suddenly decided to cancel winter assistance, and by the beginning of 2024, it has not committed to disbursing any regular payments, which has led to increasing economic pressures on refugees. The delay in disbursing assistance – which exceeded two months – has angered beneficiaries, especially with the agency requiring the provision of a “digital identity” for refugees over the age of 18.
In another step that has exacerbated the crisis, UNRWA sent letters to refugees informing them that the disbursement of assistance will be limited to the protection department only, which includes document holders and refugees who do not have identification papers.
The agency confirmed that priority will be given to the most vulnerable cases due to the decrease in funding, which has raised widespread concerns about the fate of thousands of needy families.
The situation in Lebanon is not much different.
In Lebanon, Syrian Palestinian activists met with the Director of UNRWA in Lebanon, Dorothee Klaus, where they were informed that emergency financial assistance to Palestinian refugees from Syria has been frozen until next month. The meeting discussed several vital issues related to the refugees’ situation, including the future of cash assistance, amidst uncertainty about when it will be disbursed in the future.
For its part, UNRWA expressed its regret over the deteriorating funding situation, stressing that it is making intensive efforts to secure the necessary funding and will keep refugees informed of any developments. It explained that the financial crisis affects all international organizations operating in Jordan and Lebanon, which has affected their ability to provide the necessary support.
As the crisis continues, activists are increasingly calling for urgent solutions to ensure the continuity of humanitarian support for Palestinian refugees from Syria, amid increasingly difficult living conditions.
