An-Najah News - The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) urgently needs US$ 14 million to prepare and respond to the COVID-19 outbreak over an initial three-month period. 

The Agency launched Appeal today that outlines the immediate priorities and financial requirements for health and other services related to the pandemic in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

According to UNRWA Acting Commissioner-General Christian Saunders “Overcrowded living conditions, physical and mental stress and years of protracted conflict all make vulnerable population of over 5.6 million Palestine refugees particularly susceptible to the ongoing threats of COVID-19.

All of the Agency’s five fields’ host countries and authorities have announced a series of robust measures to cope with the spread of COVID-19, which UNRWA will follow and factor into its operations.”

Amidst the current global crisis and in response to the continuing critical needs of Palestine refugees and in alignment with WHO and UN Preparedness and Response plans, UNRWA has developed and activated an Agency-wide COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan.