Attachments
Last year was another extremely difficult year for people in the Middle East region amid multiple and often unprecedented challenges. Palestine refugees continue to be among the most vulnerable communities in the region and around the world. The majority of Palestine refugees in Syria, Lebanon and Gaza now live below the poverty line. Many families are no longer able to make ends meet and are often struggling to bring food to the table. In Jordan, unemployment among Palestine refugees is soaring, especially among the youth, and the West Bank is facing daily protection threats to civilians given the sharp increase in violence. UNRWA finished the year amid a severe funding shortfall. It is starting 2023 with over US$ 70 million worth of financial liabilities, including debts and loans.
Against all odds, UNRWA continues to be a game changer, impacting the lives of many Palestine refugees across our five areas of operations in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
UNRWA provides critical services, including in education, health, infrastructure and camp improvement, and protection. Many more Palestine refugees have become dependent on UNRWA services and assistance. To be able to deliver and implement the Agency’s mandate, UNRWA is appealing for a total of US$ 1.63 billion[1] for 2023. Getting this funding will enable UNRWA to implement its core activities under the Programme Budget (US$ 848 M) and continue its emergency response in the occupied Palestinian territory (US$ 344.9 M) and Syria, Lebanon and Jordan (US$ 436.7 M).
The Agency's new Strategic Plan (2023-2028) sets out the Agency's vision and objectives for how it can continue to deliver these services that address the evolving human development and human protection needs.