In response to the unprecedented devastation in the Gaza Strip and increasing needs in the West Bank, UNRWA has launched an expanded Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory.

The Agency is requesting US$ 481 million to address the most critical humanitarian needs of people impacted in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, until the end of this year.

“One month into a tight siege and a brutal war, the humanitarian needs in the Gaza Strip are colossal. They grow by the hour. Last week in Gaza, children asked me if I had a piece of bread or a sip of water. It was one of the saddest moments,” said UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini at the Paris Humanitarian Conference today, where he reiterated his calls for a humanitarian ceasefire and an increased flow of humanitarian assistance.

“Our abilities are stretched to the limits, as our staff themselves are displaced, enduring huge losses and mourning 99 UNRWA colleagues killed,” he added. 

Due to the relentless bombardments by Israeli Forces, nearly half of Gaza’s houses have been destroyed or damaged. The entire population is undergoing collective punishment. 

Even with the increased numbers of trucks in the last few days, only a trickle of food, water and basic survival items are allowed in. Around 70 per cent of people were forced to flee their homes. Of those, more than 720,000 are in 150 UNRWA shelters across the Gaza Strip. The conditions in the shelters are appalling; hundreds are sharing one toilet and a shower. No fuel – critical for the UNRWA operations, medical facilities, bakeries, and water stations – has come into Gaza since 7 October.

In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, an uptick in violence continues, especially in Palestine Refugee camps. Only since 7 October, at least 44 children were confirmed killed. Movement restrictions are severely impacting the livelihoods and the socio-economic conditions of Palestinian communities in the area, as unemployment and poverty soar.

Across the Gaza Strip, funding to the UNRWA appeal will allow the Agency to continue providing basic food assistance, shelter, survival items, health care, cash, water, sanitation and hygiene to 1.6 million people. In the West Bank, funding will provide cash assistance, health care and protection to those in need.  

 “I thank all donors and partners who have generously contributed towards our initial emergency appeal. And I call on those who have not included UNRWA in their initial response to support this updated appeal. The needs have exponentially grown, and urgent funding is required to be able to fulfill our duties towards the Palestinians in need. This is a test to the global commitment towards our Agency and is a point of make or break,” added Lazzarini.  

For more than one decade, UNRWA has been facing a chronic financial crisis.  To date, UNRWA is uncertain whether it would be able to pay salaries to staff until the end of the year, including to the unsung heroes on the frontlines in Gaza.