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Situation in numbers
- 300 Palestine refugee families (approximately 1500 individuals have reported at UNRWA in various locations (Damascus, Central, North and South areas).
- Relatives and friends are currently hosting most of these 300 families. UNRWA through a protection referral to Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) ensured emergency transport for two PRL families from the South areas to a hosting center in Damascus and a few more cases of PRL families in hosting centres have become known to UNRWA, especially in the Central Areas.
- UNRWA has a stock of only 825 non food items kits and 533 hygiene kits, which are being repositioned to the locations with the higher concentration of new arrivals to support the families who all report needing NFIs.
Funding Requirements
UNRWA Syria has launched a Joint Flash Appeal with UNRWA Lebanon and requires approximately US$ 1.53 Million to respond to the needs of the Palestine Refugees. Find the Flash Appeal here. UNRWA requires US$ 1.53 Million to meet the humanitarian needs of Palestine refugees fleeing Lebanon in the first three months. Thus far, UNRWA has made use of its existing programming, budget and human resources to provide protection and services to those of the newly arrived and returning Palestine Refugees who approach UNRWA. However, as the number of Palestine refugees is growing and in view of their dire situation and heightened vulnerabilities, there is an urgent need for additional funding to allow UNRWA to provide adequate assistance and services.
Situation Overview
- Since the escalation of the hostilities in Lebanon, approximately 220,000 people are believed to have crossed the border to Syria through both official and unofficial border crossing points. This population consists of Syrians, Lebanese, Palestine Refugees and Third Country Nationals (TCN). Available data does not provide a breakdown per nationality.
- Two categories of Palestine Refugees are being displaced, Palestine Refugees in Lebanon (PRL), consisting of those originally registered in Lebanon, and Palestine Refugees from Syria (PRS) who fled to Lebanon because of the crisis in Syria.
- Approximately 100 families of both categories are reported to have arrived in Palestine refugee camps in Syria during the last three days in addition to the 200 that were known to UNRWA as of the end of last week. In discussions between UNRWA and PRS displaced from Lebanon, they have indicated that they have relatives who are trying to reach Syria, an indication that the number will keep rising rapidly. It is estimated that several hundreds more have arrived in Syria and more will continue to arrive as the situation deteriorates in Lebanon. The majority are currently being hosted by relatives and friends.
- The Government of Syria is practicing an open-door policy at the border, facilitating entry without stamping the documents in many instances or even for those without documents. They also provide freedom of movement once they arrive in the country. UNRWA is in contact with UNHCR and SARC to stay abreast of developments regarding internal and secondary movements, especially through Syria towards Jordan.
- The government has extended for an additional ten days the exemption to the application of Cabinet Decision no. 46 of April 2021 requiring the exchange of the equivalent of US$100 at the borders before entering of Syrian returnees (including PRS).
- The arrivals through the Jdaidet Yabous border point have been low since 4 October, when Israeli Forces airstrikes caused a crater on the road to the border crossing point. Many forcibly displaced people from Lebanon are taking longer routes to avoid this crossing point and others cross the crater on foot. UNHCR and SARC provide transportation services to the extremely vulnerable new arrivals from the crater caused by the airstrikes (Masnaa area) to the border crossing point on the Syria side.
UNRWA Response overview
Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon and Palestine Refugees from Syria were already among the most impoverished and marginalized due to protracted displacement, multiple displacement, their uncertain legal status, and limited social protection mechanisms while in Lebanon, which made them heavily reliant on UNRWA for their basic needs. Before the escalation in Lebanon, they were already facing a desperate socio-economic situation characterised by very high rates of poverty and unemployment, driven largely by systemic discrimination over generations, and the social and economic inequalities they experience. They were excluded from several Lebanese syndicate-regulated professions, other forms of formal employment, and public services leaving the majority unable to provide for their basic needs and leading to a near-total dependency on UNRWA’s assistance. PRS returning to Syria from Lebanon, are returning into their protracted displacement, and PRL are exchanging one displacement for another, both with depleted abilities to cope.
UNRWA will transport 825 NFI kits and 553 hygiene kits to areas of influx before the end of the week for immediate distribution to the displaced refugees as part of the immediate first-line response.
The Agency’s response is currently integrated into the existing programming and all Palestine refugees are accessing services at various UNRWA installations, such as services at health centres and admission in schools. In addition, a flash appeal has been launched with a planning figure of 1,000 families (approximately 5,000) individuals. This flash appeal is part of the Agency’s Lebanon regional appeal as well as the Syria inter-agency appeal which was launched on the 4th of October 2024. UNRWA plans to respond to the needs of the refugees in multiple ways listed below. The flash appeal has the following components reflecting the current needs;
Multipurpose Cash Assistance & Food Security
The transfer values to be utilized will be in line with the Inter-agency Cash Working Group recommendations as well as sector standards from the NFI cluster.
Shelter & Non-Food Items (NFIs)
The situation of the Palestine Refugees displaced by the hostilities in Lebanon is extremely dire with many of them arriving with little or no belongings. UNRWA currently has only 825 NFI kits in its warehouse, these kits are being re-positioned to the different area offices to aid in emergency response.
Emergency health
UNRWA will continue to provide all health services to newly arrived PRS and PRL from Lebanon, leading to increased overall costs. Several newly arrived Palestine Refugees with disabilities have approached UNRWA health clinics requesting for assistive devices and UNRWA is trying to urgently support them. MHPSS will also be provided at UNRWA Health clinics and at the communal hosting centres.
Education in Emergencies
PRS and PRL children are being registered in UNRWA schools and MHPSS services are being provided to ensure continued learning, limit education loss, and address psychological trauma. Many newly arrive children lack documentation, including proof of their education level in Lebanon and UNRWA education team is looking into adjusting its procedures to ensure that children can be swifty integrated into its schools.
Protection and Social services
Registration services and safe referrals will be provided. Protection monitoring will allow UNRWA to quickly address protection concerns that arise. Case management and social work interventions will focus on highrisk cases and legal aid especially to address civil documentation issues. Access to documentation, including IDs, family statement and education certificates is one of the urgent needs underlined by the Palestine refugees arriving at UNRWA offices. Awareness will be raised on the Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and gender-based violence among beneficiaries and staff in government hosting centres and via UNRWA Community Centres. The Agency will also extend cash for protection, while persons with disabilities will be provided with assistive devices.
Transitional Shelter Assistance
While the majority of Palestine Refugees arriving from Lebanon are currently hosted by extended family and other members of the host community, others report require emergency shelter. UNRWA has referred at least two PRL families to the government run hosting centers. Many PRS’ houses were totally destroyed and rendered uninhabitable. They plus the PRL will constitute a heavy burden on relatives and friends currently hosting them. UNRWA will provide cash for rent to most vulnerable families to allow them to be integrated in the Syrian society and to avoid creating dependency.