UNRWA appeals for $1.5bn to support Palestinian refugees

Gaza, Feb 12 : The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said that it appealed to the international community to contribute $1.5 billion this year.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the UN body said that the fund “is for essential services, emergency appeals and priority projects for registered Palestine refugees in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), the Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria”, reports Xinhua news agency.
The UN humanitarian agency said that, of the required $1.5 billion, $806 million “are needed for core services, such as education, health, relief, and social services, protection and infrastructure, and camp improvement”.
“To respond to the hardship caused by the Syrian conflict to Palestine refugees in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon, UNRWA is seeking $318 million.
“Both emergency appeals include adjustments that UNRWA made to its services to prevent the spread of Covid-19 among Palestinian refugees and address its impact.
“Approximately $170 million are needed for priority projects to repair or build UNRWA facilities and strengthen or improve core services,” it added.