UN Resident Coordinator Speech at UNRWA's Launch of Emergency Appeal for Lebanon

Distinguished participants,

Colleagues,

Good morning,

We are meeting today at a time when Lebanon is facing one of its worst economic crises, as it continues to host millions of refugees who have fled their countries in search of safety and protection. Unfortunately, things have changed quite dramatically for refugees and their future seems gloomy, now more than ever.

As much as Lebanon has been significantly impacted by a large number of Syrian and Palestine refugees, refugees -in turn- have been significantly impacted by the devastating effects of Lebanon’s unfolding economic, financial, and health crises that are weighing heavily on the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.

The hardship of Palestine refugees is particularly severe, where unemployment and poverty have skyrocketed as they continue to be denied the right to work in many professional categories.

Like their Syrian peers and the Lebanese population, Palestinian refugees are facing growing food instability, power outages, and increasing health problems and difficulties. In the camps, tensions are growing as families increase their pressure on UNRWA to continue to deliver regular services as well as increase the relief assistance provided to them, amid a sharp devaluation of the Lebanese pound.

Refugee protection is another worrying facet of the aggravating situation. With less money in hand, Palestine refugees are less able to prioritize their needs, to prioritize their children’s education, food security, and health, which are all too vital for their survival. This is not to mention that children are bearing the brunt of this untenable situation as many of them are experiencing deprivation on various levels, including learning losses, child labor, child marriage, mental discomfort, and I pass the rest.

The personal testimonies of refugees to which we will listen shortly will better describe their hardships, their sufferings, and overwhelming needs. We must listen to them and do everything in our power and capacity to alleviate their sorrows and fulfill their needs.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We are in a race against time to help the most vulnerable survive Lebanon’s unprecedented crises.

That’s why we embarked on a series of response plans, including the most recent Emergency Response Plan (ERP), to provide life-saving humanitarian support to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged, in the fields of health, food, education, protection and more. These response plans complement the humanitarian activities implemented under UNRWA programs and the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP).

Today’s event has a very clear and timely objective: To join forces in mobilizing financial support for the vital work of UNRWA, for the thousands of Palestine refugees residing in Lebanon. We are here to help secure the financial needs for the provision of assistance and protection to Palestine refugees.

As an international community, we have a moral obligation to support the struggling populations of Lebanon of all nationalities, including Palestine refugees. We have a duty to attenuate their sufferings, to safeguard their crucial access to basic services, and to prevent their further slide into poverty.

Today’s appeal represents an important step to ensure that UNRWA continues to deliver on its humanitarian mandate, to double down on its efforts in providing emergency cash and food assistance, health, education, technical and vocational training, and protection, and to ensure that thousands of Palestine refugees’ families live in dignity.

We cannot fail the Palestine refugees… In a time of uncertainty, volatility, and enormous vulnerability for Palestine refugees and for Lebanon as a whole, we must continue to exert every effort to provide solid and reliable funding.

So, from this platform, I call on partners and donors to step up their support at this critical time and reaffirm their solidarity with the Palestine refugees.

Together, we must be determined to end the state of deprivation and suffering that the Palestine refugees endure.

Thank you.