On the one-month anniversary of the Turkiye-Syria earthquake, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) launched March 7, 2023 an updated appeal for US$ 16.2 million to meet the humanitarian needs of Palestinian refugees affected by the devastating Turkey-Syria earthquake.

This appeal will enable UNRWA to support affected Palestinian refugees with cash and non-food items. The appeal also seeks funding for the rehabilitation of UNRWA premises and homes of refugees destroyed or damaged by the earthquake.

“The earthquakes and their aftershocks caused an unfathomable level of suffering to people in Northern Syria, across the fault and conflict lines including Palestine refugees,” said UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini. “The Agency was able to respond to their most urgent need for safety and assistance on the very first day, including by having some 700 people sleep in UNRWA schools. We are counting on our partners to help us help Palestine refugees in this time of acute need.” He added.

Among the first humanitarian organizations on the ground, UNRWA provided emergency relief services, including health, psychosocial and mental health care, food and cash assistance, non-food items, and rental subsidies and housing to Palestinian refugees as the earthquake caused damage to an already weak housing and infrastructure in Palestine refugee camps in Lebanon, including medical and educational facilities and water towers.