East Jerusalem
The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is grateful to the City Council of Zaragoza, Spain, for continued support to Palestine refugees.
An UNRWA partner since 2006, Zaragoza has responded to the Agency’s Emergency Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) with EUR 75,000 (US$ 102,000). These funding will support mobile health clinics, which provide vital access to health services for vulnerable and isolated Palestine refugees in the West Bank. Over the 12-month period, the six mobile clinics will provide comprehensive primary health care and psychosocial support to 1,473 people, including 884 women.
For Palestine refugees in the West Bank, access restrictions – including those related to the West Bank barrier and its associated permit regime – have had a major impact on quality of life, employment, livelihood, education and health services. With the support of partners like Zaragoza, UNRWA is able to adapt to the challenging circumstances and continue providing services to Palestine refugees who need them.
This project as part of West Bank Health Program included in the annual emergency appeal, expects to facilitate access to health services in those populations isolated and with difficulties in accessing to health centers due to the occupation. Psychological support will reduce stress caused by daily violence and large restrictions to movement.
Background Information
UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, and microfinance.
Financial support to UNRWA has not kept pace with an increased demand for services caused by growing numbers of registered refugees, expanding need, and deepening poverty. As a result, the Agency's General Fund (GF), supporting UNRWA’s core activities and 97 per cent reliant on voluntary contributions, has begun each year with a large projected deficit. Currently the deficit stands at US$ 69 million.
For more information, please contact:
Christopher Gunness
UNRWA Spokesperson
Mobile: +972 (0)54 240 2659
Office: +972 (0)2 589 0267
c.gunness@unrwa.org
Sami Mshasha
UNRWA Arabic Spokesperson
Mobile: +972 (0)54 216 8295
Office: +972 (0)2 589 0724
s.mshasha@unrwa.org