Development minister Bert Koenders and foreign minister Maxime Verhagen have allocated $500,000 in emergency aid for Palestinian refugees in North Lebanon in response to the UNRWA Flash Appeal for funding.
UNRWA is the lead UN organisation providing assistance to Palestinian refugees in Lebanon affected by fighting between the Fatah Al Islam movement and the Lebanese army in recent weeks. The general humanitarian situation has deteriorated sharply and thousands of refugees are without water and electricity. The US and Canada have also pledged contributions totalling $12.7 million, which will enable UNRWA to meet essential needs for the next 90 days.