The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is bracing for what it describes as a "triple tragedy" as violence in Lebanon adds to the already dire situations in Gaza and the West Bank. This escalation threatens to push the agency, which has been providing crucial services to Palestinian refugees since 1949, to its breaking point.
The Unfolding Crisis
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini expressed deep concern about the agency's ability to cope with the mounting challenges. "We already have Gaza, we already have the West Bank, so we have two fields of operation which have become active frontlines," Lazzarini stated in an interview with AFP. "We (now) also have Lebanon, which would mean that basically three... contexts of operation will become humanitarian emergencies," he added.
The situation in Lebanon has deteriorated rapidly following Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions. These strikes resulted in the deaths of at least 558 people on Monday, marking the deadliest day of violence in Lebanon since its 1975-90 civil war. The escalation has forced UNRWA to pause some of its operations in Lebanon and convert schools into shelters for hundreds of displaced individuals from the country's south.
Impact on UNRWA Operations
Gaza and West Bank
UNRWA's operations in Gaza and the West Bank were already under severe strain due to ongoing conflicts and tensions. The October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel and the subsequent Israeli military response in Gaza have had devastating consequences for the agency's work:
- At least 222 UNRWA staff members have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war.
- Two-thirds of UNRWA's facilities in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed.
These losses have significantly hampered UNRWA's ability to provide essential services to Palestinian refugees in the region.
Lebanon
The recent escalation in Lebanon has added a new dimension to UNRWA's challenges. Lazzarini expressed fear that "parts of Lebanon becomes like Gaza," highlighting the potential for a humanitarian catastrophe. The agency has had to quickly adapt its operations in Lebanon:
UNRWA schools are being converted into shelters for displaced people. There are concerns about the safety of UNRWA's staff in Lebanon, with Lazzarini stating, "Depending on how the war will be unfolding in Lebanon, we have thousands of staff there, it is not excluded... that staff will also be killed".
Financial Strain and Funding Challenges
The triple crisis comes at a time when UNRWA is already facing severe financial constraints. The agency has been grappling with funding cuts and increased operational demands:
- UNRWA has enough funding only until the end of October 2024.
- There is an $80 million shortfall for 2024.
- The United States, UNRWA's largest financial backer, has not resumed funding following cuts earlier in the year.
To address these financial challenges, Lazzarini is hosting a donor conference on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The primary goal is to secure funding to continue operations until the end of the year and to obtain longer-term commitments from donors.
The Human Cost
The escalating violence and UNRWA's strained resources have a direct impact on the lives of Palestinian refugees across the region. In Lebanon alone, the situation is dire:
- More than 21,000 Palestinians live in the Al Biddawi camp near Tripoli, alongside impoverished Lebanese citizens and Syrian refugees.
- The economic crisis in Lebanon has made work scarce, with many refugees struggling to afford basic necessities.
- UNRWA's health facilities in Lebanon are overwhelmed, serving 400 to 500 patients daily.
Dr. Husam Ghuniem, UNRWA's chief of health in northern Lebanon, emphasized the critical role of the agency: "If UNRWA disappeared tomorrow, there would be a catastrophe in this camp because we don't have any other humanitarian actor that can and does provide the level of assistance that UNRWA is providing".
International Response and Calls for Action
The escalating crisis has prompted calls for immediate action from various international organizations and governments:
- The Norwegian Refugee Council has appealed for "immediate de-escalation by all parties to the conflict and for an end to the indiscriminate attacks that destroy civilian homes and infrastructure".
- There are urgent calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, as well as between Lebanon and Israel, to prevent further suffering and loss of life.
- International donors are being urged to increase funding to support the rehabilitation of collective shelters and assist families who have lost their income.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau emphasized the need for an end to the violence, stating, "The violence needs to stop".
Long-term Implications
The current crisis threatens not only the immediate well-being of Palestinian refugees but also the long-term stability of the region. UNRWA's role extends beyond providing basic services; it serves as a crucial stabilizing force in areas prone to conflict and unrest.
Dr. Mohamed Badran, head of an UNRWA health center in the Al Biddawi camp, highlighted the agency's significance: "As a Palestinian refugee, working for UNRWA and providing services to my people suffering from harsh economic and living conditions is the least I can do".
The potential collapse or severe curtailment of UNRWA's operations could have far-reaching consequences:
- Increased regional instability
- Exacerbation of the refugee crisis
- Greater strain on host countries' resources
- Potential for increased radicalization among disenfranchised youth
As UNRWA faces this unprecedented triple crisis, the international community's response will be crucial in determining the fate of millions of Palestinian refugees. The agency's ability to continue providing essential services in Gaza, the West Bank, and now Lebanon hangs in the balance.
Lazzarini's call for sustained and increased support from donors is more urgent than ever. The coming weeks and months will be critical in shaping the future of UNRWA and, by extension, the lives of the Palestinian refugees it serves.
The situation demands not only immediate humanitarian action but also a renewed commitment to addressing the root causes of the ongoing conflicts in the region. Only through concerted diplomatic efforts and a genuine commitment to peace can a lasting solution be found to alleviate the suffering of Palestinian refugees and bring stability to this volatile region.
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