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UNRWA appeals for more efforts to help Palestinian refugees
Despite worldwide political support for the Palestinian cause, more efforts are needed to address the difficulties faced by Palestinian refugees living in vulnerable situations, the UN refugeeâs chief has said
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Despite worldwide political support for the Palestinian cause, more efforts are needed to address the difficulties faced by Palestinian refugees living in vulnerable situations, the UN refugee's chief has said.
The commissioner general of The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the near east (UNRWA) Filippo Grandi said that Palestinian refugees needed continuous international attention.
'The problem started in 1948. It has been going on for a long time. For 65 years, there has been no solution to the question of the Palestinian refugees,' Grandi said.
A solution is needed urgently that respects of the rights and wishes of the refugees, carried out with the consultation of their leaders. 'Unfortunately that has eluded the international community,' he told The Jakarta Post recently.
Beside of the duration of Israel-Palestinian conflict, the other big problem is the 5 million Palestinians scattered in areas that have always been very volatile.
'Besides the fact that their problem of being in exile has not been resolved, they also find themselves constantly trapped in other people's wars: Syria, Jordan, Lebanon,' Grandi said.
The Palestinian refugees are living in a worsening situation, such as in Yarmouk, the suburb of Damascus, which used to host one of the largest Palestinian communities in exile, and which has been engulfed by Syrian war for the past 15 months.
Grandi recalled his visit to Yarmouk. 'I have observed many conflicts in my career, but I have seldom encountered as much destruction, hunger, fear and despair as I saw in Yarmouk.
We were left shocked and speechless. I witnessed this myself during my visit ' emerged from the narrow streets looking more like ghosts than living people,' he said.
Many Palestinians have left Yarmouk, but almost 20,000 remain trapped inside.
Another tough challenge for the Palestinian refugees, particularly those living in Gaza and West Bank is the Israeli occupation, which take on many forms from the expansion of settlements, check points and demolition of houses.
UNRWA continues to support refugees through a network of schools, clinics and social protection measures. 'However, UNRWA is facing increasing financial problems: Its core budget [which supports education and health] has a shortage of almost US$70 million this year,' Grandi said.
In Gaza, where half of the population depends on food handouts and emergency employment, these humanitarian programs face a shortfall of $20 to 25 million; and the emergency needs of Palestinians affected by the war in Syria continue to grow 'We estimate them at $420 million for 2014.'
On the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the expansion of Israeli settlements and other measures are constantly reducing space, resources, rights and dignity of all Palestinians, including refugees; in Gaza, where the Israeli blockade continues to affect infrastructure, livelihoods and morale, the situation has become worse in the course of 2013, after closure ' on the Egyptian side ' of the tunnels through which goods were smuggled into the Strip and which offered the people of Gaza some relief.
