UNRWA renews appeal for Gaza’s emergency programs

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, has renewed its appeal for urgently needed emergency assistance in the impoverished Gaza Strip, Tuesday said an UNRWA press release. The appeal for US$36 million comes amid protests against reductions in emergency activities that have already been caused by severe funding shortfalls, and against the backdrop of events elsewhere in the Arab world, said the release. “Our emergency programs in Gaza, face a critical funding situation. These programs are separate from the agency’s regular education, health and relief activities, and are specifically tailored to address the most urgent humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable refugees in Gaza. We call on our donors and other stakeholders to respond to this appeal as an urgent priority,” said UNRWA spokesman, Chris Gunness. Of the $36 million – $11 million is required for creating temporary employment, $16 million for food assistance, $6 million for school feeding, and $3 million will be spent on community mental health. “UNRWA fears that without a substantial injection of cash towards its emergency work in Gaza, food rations to hundreds of thousands of refugees, including children in UN schools, may be reduced in the coming months and community health programs will be threatened, including psycho-social support to 25,000 children,” said Gunness. “The implications of this for stakeholders in the Middle East region and also for the poorest of the poor in Gaza are far reaching and must be of deep concern to all of us. That is why we in UNRWA are working unstintingly to secure funds for these desperately needed programs. It is an unfortunate reality that until the blockade is lifted in full, allowing Gaza’s economy to recover; there will continue to be a need for international humanitarian assistance to support the people of Gaza.”