• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

UNRWA Syria response to the influx from Lebanon - UNRWA Situation Report 1 (4 October 2024)

UNRWA

7 Oct 2024

Situation in numbers

• 200 Palestine Refugee families, approximately 1,000 individuals have reported to UNRWA installations and have registered with UNRWA in various locations (Damascus, Central, & South areas).
• Relatives and friends are currently hosting all 200 families. None is staying at the governmentdesignated hosting centres.
• UNRWA has only 825 NFI Kits which are being re-positioned to the locations of influx to support the emergency response.

Funding Requirements

• UNRWA Syria has launched a Joint Flash Appeal with UNRWA Lebanon and requires approximately US$ 1.53 Million to respond to the needs of the Palestine Refugees. Find the Flash Appeal here. UNRWA requires US$ 1.53 Million to meet the humanitarian needs of Palestine refugees fleeing Lebanon in the first three months. Thus far, UNRWA has made use of its existing programming, budget and human resources to provide protection and services to those of the newly arrived and returning Palestine refugees who approach UNRWA. However, as the number of Palestine refugees is growing and in view of their dire situation and heightened vulnerabilities, there is an urgent need for additional funding to allow UNRWA to provide adequate assistance and services.

Situation Overview

• Since the escalation of the hostilities in Lebanon, approximately 185,000 people are believed to have crossed the border to Syria through both official and unofficial border crossing points. This population consists of Syrians, Lebanese, Palestine Refugees and Third Country Nationals (TCN). Available data does not provide a breakdown per nationality.
• Two categories of Palestine Refugees are being displaced, Palestine refugees in Lebanon (PRL), consisting of those originally registered in Lebanon, and Palestine Refugees from Syria (PRS) who fled to Lebanon because of the conflict in Syria (in 2011 onwards).
• Approximately 200 families of both categories are reported to have arrived in Palestine refugee camps in Syria. It is estimated that several hundreds more have arrived in Syria and more will continue to arrive as the situation deteriorates in Lebanon. The majority are currently being hosted by relatives and friends.
• The Government of Syria is practicing an open-door policy at the border, facilitating entry without stamping the documents in many instances or even for those without documents. They also provide freedom of movement once they arrive in the country.
• The government also issued a one-week exemption of Syrian returnees (including PRS) from the application of Cabinet Decision no. 46 of April 2021 requiring the exchange of the equivalent of US$100 at the borders before entering.

UNRWA Response overview

• Palestine Refugees were already among the most impoverished and marginalized due to protracted displacement, multiple displacement, their uncertain legal status, and limited social protection mechanisms while in Lebanon, which made them heavily reliant on UNRWA for their basic needs. Before the escalation in Lebanon, they were already facing a desperate socio-economic situation characterised by very high rates of poverty and unemployment, driven largely by systemic discrimination over generations, and the social and economic inequalities they experience. They were excluded from several Lebanese syndicate-regulated professions, other forms of formal employment, and public services leaving
• the majority unable to provide for their basic needs and leading to a near-total dependency on UNRWA's assistance. PRS returning to Syria from Lebanon, are returning into their protracted displacement, and PRL are exchanging one displacement for another, both with depleted abilities to cope.
• The Agency's response is currently integrated into the existing programming and all Palestine Refugees are accessing services in UNRWA installations, such as services at health centres and admission in schools. In addition, a flash appeal has been developed with an initial planning figure of 1,000 families (approximately 5,000) individuals. This Flash Appeal is part of the Agency's Lebanon regional appeal.

Multipurpose Cash Assistance & Food Security

The transfer values to be utilized will be in line with the inter-agency Cash Working Group recommendations as well as sector standards from the NFI cluster.

Shelter & Non-Food Items (NFIs)

The situation of the Palestine Refugees displaced by the hostilities in Lebanon is extremely dire with many of them arriving with little or no belongings. UNRWA currently has only 825 NFI kits in its warehouse, these kits are being re-positioned to the different area offices to aid in emergency response.

Emergency health

UNRWA will continue to provide all health services to newly arrived PRS and PRL from Lebanon, leading to increased overall costs. MHPSS will also be provided at UNRWA Health clinics and at the communal hosting centres.

Education in Emergencies

PRS and PRL children are being registered in UNRWA schools and MHPSS services are being provided to ensure continued learning, limit education loss, and address psychological trauma.

Protection and Social services

Registration services and safe referrals will be provided. Protection monitoring will allow UNRWA to quickly address protection concerns that arise. Case management and social work interventions will focus on high-risk cases and legal aid especially to address civil documentation issues. Awareness will be raised on the Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and gender-based violence among beneficiaries and staff in government hosting centres and via UNRWA Multipurpose Community Centres. The Agency will also extend cash for protection, while persons with disabilities will be provided with assistive devices.

Transitional Shelter Assistance

While the majority of Palestine Refugees arriving from Lebanon are currently hosted by extended family and other members of the host community, others report require emergency shelter. Many PRS' houses were totally destroyed and rendered uninhabitable. They plus the PRL will constitute a heavy burden on relatives and friends currently hosting them. NRWA will provide cash for rent to most vulnerable families to allow them to be integrated in the Syrian society and to avoid creating dependency.