Witness
calls on UNRWA to provide monthly financial assistance for all age groups
As the Israeli war on Lebanon
continues, the suffering of Palestinian refugees, whether displaced or residing
in the southern camps and Beirut, is intensifying. Reports from UNRWA and local
sources confirm that the humanitarian situation is worsening by the day,
necessitating urgent humanitarian action to alleviate the suffering of both the
displaced and those remaining in the camps.
Conditions in Sidon
In Sidon, Siblin Center is currently
hosting 1,400 displaced individuals, with the capacity to accommodate more. A
kitchen is being established to provide meals starting next week. UNRWA schools
in the region are also hosting 450 displaced persons, while 180 individuals in
Deir Qassi school are refusing to leave the building. UNRWA provides services
that include shelter, bedding, blankets, cleaning supplies, healthcare, and
psychosocial support, in addition to breakfast and dinner. Meanwhile, partner
organizations are responsible for supplying lunch meals.
Regarding Sibllin Center, dozens of
Syrian families who were outside the center have been admitted, following the
return of several Palestinian families to their camps. This increase in
population further strains the available resources and necessitates enhanced
coordination and support.
Conditions in Northern Lebanon
In Beddawi camp, estimates indicate
that 1,458 displaced families are residing in rented homes or with relatives. The
number of individuals significantly exacerbates the pressure on available
resources. UNRWA currently provides only healthcare services, while non-governmental
organizations such as Naba’a and Najdeh offer limited assistance, including
meals and bedding. However, these efforts fall short of meeting even half of
the required needs.
In Nahr al-Bared camp, 2,200
displaced individuals are staying in shelters, while 3,200 families rely on
assistance from NGOs. UNRWA is working to establish a kitchen to begin
providing meals in early November and is providing bedding, blankets, and
cleaning materials.
Conditions in Tyre Camps
Estimates suggest that 50% of
families in Rashidieh camp, 45% in Burj el-Shemali camp, and 30% in the Al-Bass
camp are still living in the camps. In the case of Burj el-Shemali camp, recent
estimates indicate that around half of the population has returned. Families
that remain in the camps depend on assistance from civil society, which has so
far addressed only 45% of their needs. Furthermore, it is likely that the
return of displaced individuals to their homes in Tyre camps is due to the
inadequacy of shelters to meet their humanitarian and social requirements.
It is evident that there is a
significant absence of sufficient support from factions and organizations for
the families remaining in the camps, which deepens the crisis. Furthermore, the
absence of job opportunities for heads of households compounds the already dire
humanitarian situation.
The way forward
Since the outbreak of the war in
Lebanon over a month ago, most refugees have stopped working and lost their
livelihoods, putting them in urgent need of relief and financial assistance.
The situation is further compounded by skyrocketing prices and rising housing
expenses.
The absence of immediate solutions
to the crisis significantly complicates the situation. Therefore, UNRWA must
uphold its responsibilities to Palestinian refugees and urgently solicit
assistance from the international community and donors to address their
critical needs.
Call for Urgent Action
The Palestinian Association for
Human Rights (Witness) urges UNRWA and all relevant stakeholders to intensify
efforts to meet the needs of displaced individuals and ensure that assistance
is comprehensive and sufficient. Witness also calls for enhanced coordination
among community organizations to guarantee that aid is delivered to all
families without exception, while also improving the challenging living
conditions experienced by displaced individuals in all regions. Furthermore, Witness
emphasizes the necessity for UNRWA to provide monthly financial assistance that
includes all age groups, rather than distributing aid every three months.
The Palestinian
Association for Human Rights (Witness)
October 23,
2024