European Union supports UNRWA to protect Palestine Refugees amid unprecedented violence – occupied Palestinian territory

21 July 2023

EAST JERUSALEM,

The European Union (EU) is allocating EUR 1 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to better protect Palestine Refugees who are threatened by conflict and forced displacement in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Since 2009, EU humanitarian funds have supported UNRWA efforts to provide protection to Palestine Refugees.

The Director of UNRWA Affairs in the West Bank, Adam Bouloukos, expressed his deep appreciation to the EU for their continued support: “We are grateful for this contribution which reaffirms the commitment of the EU to UNRWA and Palestine Refugees, particularly at a time when the protection environment continues to deteriorate. These funds come at a critical time in view of the dire financial situation of the Agency and the unparalleled needs observed in Jenin.”

Since the beginning of the year, the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, has seen an escalation of violence impacting civilians, with the escalation of violence in Jenin being one of the recent examples. This has manifested in a sharp increase in the number of fatalities and injuries, including of children.

Most Palestinian fatalities in 2023 occurred in the context of military and law enforcement operations of Israeli Security Forces (ISF), particularly in and around Palestine Refugee camps, as recently seen in Jenin. This leads to fatalities, physical injuries and damage to private property, and also inflicts psychological trauma.

In 2023, the EU will continue its support to UNRWA and will aim to reach close to 200,000 refugees in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) to offset the negative effects of this coercive environment through hundreds of advocacy interventions. UNRWA and the EU are persistent and vocal advocates for upholding International Humanitarian Law.

The EU funds the UNRWA Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU), which provides cash assistance, psychological first aid, and other complimentary services to assist individuals threatened by forced displacement, demolitions and other forms of violence.

European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, said: “The EU’s partnership with UNRWA seeks to better protect civilians, particularly children in refugee camps. They are the ones feeling the full brunt of the escalation. We are committed to continue our unwavering support to the most vulnerable Palestinian refugees.”

ENDs —

**Notes to Editors **

• UNRWA promotes the respect for International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law by holding the duty-bearers, primarily the Israeli authority as the occupying power in the West Bank, accountable.
• The EU has supported UNRWA through similar protection-focused interventions, since 2009. From June 2023 to May 2024, 193,751 Palestine Refugees will benefit from UNRWA advocacy efforts, cash assistance and improved access to services.
• Camp residents are often awakened by explosions and incursions at night or early morning, and by ISF breaking into their homes and buildings.
• The CIU provides cash assistance, psychological first aid, emergency case management services and referral to complementary services, focusing on the most vulnerable individuals, including Palestine Refugees with disabilities, children, and women, helping them overcome the impact of conflict.
• Read the statement by UNRWA Commissioner-General on the situation in Jenin.
• Read the UNRWA News Release on the recent donor visit to Jenin Camp here.
• Watch the video of the visit to Jenin Camp by UNRWA Partners in the wake of the Israeli Military Operation here.

Background Information:

UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The United Nations General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949 with a mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestine refugees in the Agency’s area of operations pending a just and lasting solution to their plight.

UNRWA operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, The Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

Tens of thousands of Palestine refugees who lost their homes and livelihoods due to the 1948 conflict continue to be displaced and in need of support, nearly 75 years on.

UNRWA helps Palestine Refugees achieve their full potential in human development through quality services it provides in education, health care, relief and social services, protection, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.