To ask Her Majesty’s Government steps they are taking to support Palestinian refugees from Syria living in Lebanon following the suspension of cash assistance from the UN Relief and Works Agency for housing owing to lack of funds.
Answered on
9 June 2015
The UK has been supporting the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to ensure that the needs of highly vulnerable Palestinians are addressed inside Syria and in neighbouring countries, including Lebanon. To date, the UK has allocated £38.75 million to provide cash assistance, food parcels, relief items, hygiene packs and education for Palestinian refugees affected by the violence in Syria and the region.
The UK’s expected contribution to UNRWA’s 2015 Syria emergency appeal is £8 million, which includes £2 million towards support for Palestinian refugees from Syria in Lebanon. This is in addition to the UK’s contribution of £30 million towards UNRWA’s General Fund, which supports services provided to Palestinian refugees in the region.
The UK remains deeply concerned about the wellbeing of Palestinian refugees from Syria in Lebanon, and recognises the funding shortfalls across UNRWA’s funds and appeals. The UK continues to play a leading role in encouraging the international community to make generous pledges in response to the humanitarian crisis. The UK also welcomes UNRWA’s efforts to take forward important reforms to achieve greater cost efficiencies, whilst prioritising the needs of the most vulnerable.