Action Group – Syria
Palestinian refugees in Syria have once again called on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to continue providing regular humanitarian assistance, amid what they described as worsening living conditions and a lack of income sources due to the ongoing Syrian crisis for over 13 years.
Refugees emphasize that the aid provided by UNRWA is no longer just supplementary support, but has become a vital lifeline to meet even the most basic daily needs””particularly during critical times of the year such as Ramadan, school seasons, holidays, and for paying rent and debts.
According to field reports, a large percentage of Palestinian families in Syria live without a stable income, and many unemployed individuals have no financial resources at all””leaving them almost entirely dependent on the agency’s financial or food assistance.
While humanitarian tragedies continue to unfold in Gaza, the refugees stressed that their plea for aid is not in competition with or at the expense of their brothers and sisters there, affirming: “The Palestinian suffering is one, wherever the refugee or exile may be. Our hearts are with our people in Gaza.”
They also noted that UNRWA, as the UN body responsible for Palestinian refugees, still receives funding in their name. Therefore, its continued support is a legal and moral obligation that must include every Palestinian refugee, wherever they are located.
The refugees concluded their appeal by emphasizing that their demands do not exceed the “bare minimum of human dignity,”and called on the agency not to abandon its responsibilities in light of the “extraordinary and harsh circumstances”that Palestinians in Syria have been enduring for years.