UNRWA funding gaps pose further challenges for refugee support

AMMAN — URNWA Jordan is struggling to meet the needs of its beneficiaries due to a budget deficit, according to a recent report. 

UNRWA recently issued the report titled “Syria, Lebanon and Jordan 2022 Emergency Appeal Progress Report”, which covers the period between January and June 2022. 

The report focussed on the provision of emergency food and monetary assistance as a means of alleviating the impacts of humanitarian crises and food insecurity among the most vulnerable refugees, particularly children. 

“A deficit of $32 million was reported during the first six months of 2022,” the report said. 

The report noted that the funding required for the first six months of 2022 was estimated to be around $38.5 million. However, only $6.5 million was received. 

The report added that funding gaps meant that the agency was unable to organise catch-up classes for students affected by COVID-19-based learning interruptions. 

Similarly, UNRWA was unable to provide mental health support to address the challenges caused by the pandemic in the Kingdom, the report claimed. 

Moreover, no cash assistance was provided to vulnerable ex-Gazan refugees to mitigate socio-economic hardships resulting from COVID-19. 

“As a result of the protracted conflict in Syria, unprecedented crises in Lebanon since 2020 and the economic impact of COVID-19 in Jordan, conditions in Palestine refugee communities in the region have significantly deteriorated,” the report added. 

The report stated that in the first half of 2022, UNRWA continued to provide emergency humanitarian assistance while maintaining its basic services, including health and education operations. This support, particularly in the context of deepening economic and financial crises, has provided a safety-net for the most vulnerable Palestine refugees, preventing thousands from falling into abject poverty. 

However, the situation is becoming critical, as the vast majority of refugees are now experiencing rapidly deteriorating living conditions that significantly impact their well-being and social cohesion.

In Jordan, unconditional financial assistance to address basic needs was provided to 19,283 Palestinian Refugees from Syria (PRS), and a one-off emergency monetary sum was extended to 351 families of Palestinian Refugees from Syria to cover the additional needs caused by sudden emergencies and other shocks.

“A total of 19,239 PRS were registered with UNRWA in Jordan as of the end of June 2022,” the report noted. 

The report added that the Palestinian Refugees from Syria without legal status in the country are estimated at 9.9 per cent of all PRS in Jordan. 

“Palestine refugees had free access to COVID-19 vaccinations and treatment because of an inclusive policy of the government,” the report claimed. 

“The distribution of winter financial assistance is planned for later in the year, subject to funding availability,” the report noted. 

The report added that during the second half of 2022, additional funding is urgently needed to ensure critical interventions can continue in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.