Gaza’s Humanitarian Situation without UNRWA

The recent ban on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to operate in Israel threatens to destabilise the lives of millions of Palestinian refugees who depend on its essential services. This decision stands to cut off critical lifelines and vital services, leaving a devastating gap in support that organisations like IF Charity are working tirelessly to fill.

Since 1949, UNRWA has supported Palestinian refugees, delivering essential healthcare, education, food security, and other humanitarian aid. UNRWA’s work spans Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, with its services especially critical in Gaza, where poverty is rife, the healthcare system is fragile, and education resources are scarce.

This ban places all UNRWA programmes in jeopardy, from healthcare and education to emergency relief initiatives.

In this blog, we take a look at just some of UNRWA services which are now at risk:

1. Healthcare Initiatives
   • Primary Healthcare Clinics: UNRWA operates 22 primary healthcare centres in Gaza alone, where families receive general healthcare services, maternal and child health, dental care, and vaccinations.
   • Polio Immunisation Campaign: UNRWA’s polio vaccination campaign was vital in preventing the resurgence of polio, a life-threatening disease, in Palestinian refugee communities. This campaign aimed to protect children across Gaza and the West Bank, areas with a heightened vulnerability to infectious diseases due to crowded living conditions and limited access to healthcare. A disruption to this campaign could lead to an outbreak, endangering children across the region.
   • Mental Health Support: Many Gazan families endure chronic trauma. UNRWA’s mental health programmes provide counselling and psychological support, addressing the impact of long-term stress and adversity, especially among children and young adults who suffer the effects of conflict.
2. Education for Future Generations
   • Primary and Secondary Education: UNRWA runs schools for more than 500,000 Palestinian children, operating 706 schools – 284 of which are in Gaza. These schools offer education that represents academic learning and a pathway out of poverty and towards resilience. For thousands of children in Gaza, UNRWA schools are a safe space where they can learn, grow, and escape daily hardships. With the ban, these educational programmes face potential closure, leaving students without basic education and a safe environment. Visit UNRWA’s Education Programme page to learn more.
   • Vocational and Technical Training: Beyond traditional education, UNRWA offers vocational training to young adults, giving them practical skills in engineering, healthcare, and IT. This training is crucial for enhancing employability in an area with high youth unemployment.
3. Emergency Relief and Food Assistance
   • Food Distribution: UNRWA’s food assistance reaches 1.2 million Gazans, helping alleviate severe food insecurity for families who cannot meet basic nutritional needs. Through this programme, families receive essential food parcels, addressing one of the most immediate needs in Gaza. The removal of this aid could see hunger levels rise dramatically.
   • Emergency Cash Assistance: UNRWA provides emergency financial assistance for displaced families, helping them secure temporary shelter and basic needs during crises. For many, these cash transfers have been the only financial relief in times of crisis.
4. Infrastructure and Sanitation Projects
   • Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH): In Gaza, access to clean water and sanitation facilities is limited. UNRWA’s WASH programmes work to provide clean water, improve sanitation systems, and promote hygiene practices, essential for preventing disease spread. These projects have included the construction of water wells, waste management systems, and emergency water distribution, without which, the risk of disease and water scarcity would escalate further.
   • Housing Reconstruction: UNRWA also supports housing reconstruction, helping rebuild homes destroyed during conflicts. This programme is critical in providing displaced families with stability and shelter. Learn more about their WASH efforts on the UNRWA WASH Programme page.

Impact of the Ban on Palestinian Refugees

UNRWA’s Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini warns that this ban could leave a vacuum of aid that few other agencies can fill, resulting in heightened suffering and vulnerability. Without access to UNRWA’s resources, Palestinian families will face increased threats of hunger, illness, and instability, creating a humanitarian crisis on an even larger scale.

With UNRWA’s work under threat, IF Charity is committed to scaling up our efforts to help meet the urgent needs of Gaza’s families. We are prepared to continue supporting essential areas like food aid, healthcare, and emergency relief. However, this monumental task requires dedicated support and partnership from individuals and communities worldwide.

Join Us in Providing Essential Aid

This ban on UNRWA only deepens the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and heightens the need for direct and immediate aid. As we step up our efforts, we invite you to support our work in delivering life-saving assistance to Palestine. Visit our programmes page to learn more about how you can make a difference.

Your support is crucial in ensuring that Gazan families do not face these mounting challenges alone.