São Paulo – The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (Unrwa) announced this Tuesday (13th) that it needs US$ 36 million in order to proceed with its aid work in the Gaza Strip.
“Our emergency programs in Gaza face a critical funding situation,” said the Unrwa spokesman Chris Gunnes, according to a statement issued by the agency. “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.”
According to the agency, US$ 11 million are needed to create temporary jobs, US$ 16 million for food aid, US$ 6 million for school meals and US$ 3 million for psychiatric treatment.
The agency stresses that without these funds there will be a reduction in food supplies to thousands of refugees, including children who attend UN schools, and that healthcare programs will be in jeopardy, among them psychosocial support to 25,000 children.
According to the Unrwa statement, until the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip ends, there will be a continuous need for international humanitarian aid to be provided to people in the region.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
