Els: MBN360 News
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has issued an urgent appeal for humanitarian assistance, warning that the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are “facing one of the gravest, protracted humanitarian crises in recent history.”
The call comes after more than two years of sustained conflict, which has left millions of Palestinians struggling to meet basic needs amid widespread destruction, displacement, and economic collapse.
In a statement shared on X, UNRWA underscored the scale of the emergency and the resources required to respond effectively. The agency said it needs US$1.26 billion in funding to continue providing essential services to approximately 2.4 million people across Gaza and the West Bank.
These services include healthcare, food assistance, education, and emergency relief, all of which have come under increasing strain as the conflict persists and conditions on the ground deteriorate.
UNRWA described the humanitarian situation as both grave and enduring, reflecting not only the intensity of recent hostilities but also the cumulative impact of years of instability.
In Gaza, repeated cycles of violence have severely damaged civilian infrastructure, disrupted livelihoods, and restricted access to basic services.
In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, escalating tensions, movement restrictions, and economic pressures have compounded vulnerabilities, leaving many families dependent on humanitarian aid for survival.
The funding appeal reflects growing concern within the international community about the sustainability of humanitarian operations in the Palestinian territories.
Prolonged conflict has not only increased demand for aid but has also made delivery more complex and dangerous. Aid workers face security risks, logistical obstacles, and funding shortfalls, all of which threaten the continuity of services for vulnerable populations.
UNRWA’s warning also points to the broader implications of underfunding humanitarian responses. Without sufficient financial support, the agency cautioned that critical services could be reduced or interrupted, with immediate consequences for millions who rely on them.
Health clinics could struggle to operate, food assistance programs could be scaled back, and education services for refugee children could be disrupted, deepening long-term social and economic challenges.
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The agency’s statement comes at a moment when humanitarian needs are increasingly described as chronic rather than temporary.
More than two years of war have eroded coping mechanisms, leaving communities with limited resilience against further shocks.
UNRWA noted that the crisis is not only about emergency relief but also about preserving human dignity and preventing further deterioration of living conditions.
UNRWA Hails Reach Of Operation
Despite what it termed “extraordinary operational and security pressures,” UNRWA emphasized that it continues to operate at a scale unmatched by any other humanitarian actor in the region.
The agency highlighted its ability to reach communities that are otherwise difficult to access, providing life-saving assistance even in highly insecure environments.
According to UNRWA, this capacity makes its work irreplaceable at a time when humanitarian needs are expanding faster than available resources.
By stressing that it remains “irreplaceable,” UNRWA sought to underline both its institutional role and the urgency of international support. The agency has long served as a primary provider of services for Palestinian refugees, and its operations are deeply embedded in the social fabric of the communities it serves.
This longstanding presence, UNRWA argued, enables it to deliver assistance efficiently and at scale, even under extreme pressure. The appeal is also a reminder of the interconnected nature of humanitarian, political, and security dynamics in the region.
While UNRWA’s mandate is humanitarian, the conditions driving the current crisis are rooted in prolonged conflict and instability.
As a result, the agency’s call for funding implicitly highlights the need for sustained international engagement, both to address immediate humanitarian needs and to support longer-term solutions that can reduce reliance on emergency aid.
UNRWA’s message asserts that without urgent and substantial funding, the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank risks worsening further.
The agency’s appeal places responsibility on the international community to ensure that life-saving services can continue for millions of people who have already endured years of hardship.
