New York
Palestine refugees caught up in the Syrian conflict have been provided with a much welcomed US$ 15 million contribution from the State of Kuwait through the auspices of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). The generous donation from the Kuwaiti government will provide emergency relief for Palestine refugees who have sought shelter in neighbouring countries and for those who remain trapped in Syria.
The Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Pierre Krähenbühl, said: “UNRWA has 3,700 courageous and dedicated staff in Syria, and through their work, this donation will help us to continue to deliver emergency education and health-care services, as well as providing food and cash support to Palestinian refugees in Syria. It will also help us to support those who have fled Syria to neighbouring countries, in particular, Lebanon. Not for the first time, Kuwait has proved its generosity towards Palestinian refugees and UNRWA. We are most grateful to the government and people of Kuwait.”
The ongoing conflict in Syria has become one of the most serious challenges UNRWA has faced in its six decades of working with Palestine refugees. As violence continues, its impact on Palestine refugees has increased, displacing over 50 per cent of the registered refugee population, including over 270,000 within Syria itself. Despite the considerable challenges, the Agency continues to provide Palestine refugees in Syria and those who have fled to neighbouring countries within the UNRWA areas of operations, including Lebanon and Jordan, with emergency relief, health, protection and education services.