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A look back on Palestine refugees in Syria and UNRWA milestones in 2015

22 January 2016
On the 7 January 2015, a heavy winter storm hit the Middle East, bringing sub-zero temperatures, rain and snow to the region. The storm worsened the suffering of the 480,000 Palestine refugees living in Syria at the time, who were already struggling to survive amid the ongoing conflict. UNRWA provided families with mattresses and blankets to help them keep warm during the season. Jaramana camp, Damascus © 2015 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid MohammadOn 9 February 2015, UNRWA entered Husseiniyeh for the first time since the summer of 2013, a significant step towards restoring community services. The Agency began assessing the damage as part of the planning process for the return of the 40,000 Palestine refugees from the area. Husseiniyeh © 2015 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid MohammadOn 5 March 2015, UNRWA was able to resume food distributions for the first time since 6 December 2014. The Agency distributed food parcels to 4,463 families within 14 days. UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krähenbühl visited Yarmouk on 10 March to meet with some of the 18,000 Palestine refugees trapped in the area and reiterated the Agency’s determination to provide them with much-needed assistance despite the ongoing conflict in Syria. Yarmouk. © 2015 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid MohammadFollowing the incursion of armed groups into Yarmouk on 1 April, UNRWA has been unable to provide much-needed humanitarian assistance to the population, which has been trapped in the area for over two years. Following the beginning of cross-line humanitarian missions into the neighbouring area of Yalda on 13 April, UNRWA provided a range of assistance, as well as medical and nutritional support, to civilians in these areas, including a large proportion of Palestine refugees displaced from Yarmouk. Yalda © 2In May 2015, UNRWA conducted 12 cross-line humanitarian missions to reach civilians from Yarmouk displaced to the surrounding areas of Yalda, Babila and Beit Saham. During these missions, the Agency provided health check-ups and dental treatment and distributed packs of bread, food parcels, potable water, fresh food for the communal kitchens, and hygiene kits. Yalda © 2015 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid MohammadIn June 2015, UNRWA launched its second round of cash assistance. This method remains the most effective form of humanitarian assistance for Palestine refugees in Syria. UNRWA was only able to provide six months of assistance in 2015, due to the underfunding of the Agency’s Emergency Appeal for the Syria Regional Crisis. Damascus © 2015 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid MohammadMost Palestine refugee families in Syria struggle daily to put food on the table. In July 2015, UNRWA distributed food parcels to hundreds of Palestine refugee families via 15 distribution centres in the Damascus area, Dera’a, Neirab, Homs, Latakia and Aleppo and via different collective shelters. Each food parcel is sufficient to feed a family of four for 10 days. Syria © 2015 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid MohammadAround 6,000 Palestine refugee families were allowed to return to Husseiniyeh following their displacement in the summer of 2013 due to armed violence. UNRWA was able to resume most of its services in the area in August. Husseiniyeh © 2015 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid MohammadEducation is a fundamental right for children all over the world. On 13 September 2015, UNRWA opened 99 schools to serve approximately 45,000 Palestine refugee children, including those in Husseiniyeh after their families returned to the area over the summer. Husseiniyeh © 2015 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid MohammadIn October 2015, UNRWA received 1,130 students at 12 training centres in Aleppo, Damascus, Latakia and Hama. It provides short- and long-term vocational training courses to young Palestine refugees aged between 18 and 33 to help them develop skills to increase their employability in the new and uncertain market. At present, the most popular courses are hairdressing and electrical installation. Damascus © 2015 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid MohammadIn November 2015, UNRWA continued to provide hospital care to Palestine refugee patients across Syria through agreements with 14 hospitals. UNRWA offers health care to the 450,000 Palestine refugees still living in Syria through 26 health facilities. Rukn Eddin, Damascus © 2015 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid MohammadTo help families cope with the cold at the onset of winter, UNRWA distributed blankets and mattresses to Palestine refugees in Khan Dunoun. The Agency also launched its #shareyourwarmth fundraising campaign to encourage people around the world to lend support to Palestine refugees this winter. Khan Dunoun © 2015 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid Mohammad