Keeping out the cold

Around 60 per cent of the 560,000 Palestine refugees registered with UNRWA in Syria have been displaced throughout the country and further afield as a result of the conflict. Living in a state of uncertainty, the Palestinians in Syria are dependent on humanitarian relief as the protracted crisis has prevented many Syrians and Palestinians from rebuilding their lives. Of the 450,000 Palestine refugees living in Syria today, 280,000 of them have been displaced multiple times. 

With each displacement, refugees lost personal and essential belongings. Many have recounted leaving everything behind when fleeing their home. They moved with only what they could carry; therefore, free mattresses have not only been used to keep people warm, but also to serve different and surprising purposes; they have been used as furnishing in simple shelters. 

Thanks to a donation of US$ 250,000 from Islamic Relief USA, UNRWA has been able to provide 18,768  mattresses to Palestine refugees from different areas in Syria, including residents from Yarmouk. Islamic Relief USA has helped cover the most basic needs of Palestine refugees during this harsh time.