Written statement submitted by The Palestinian Return Centre Ltd, a non-governmental organisation in special consultative status. Human Rights Council Sixty-first session: 23 February–2 April 2026. Agenda item 3: Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development.

UNREF: A/HRC/61/NGO/171 
Date: 26 February 2026
Title: PRC Warns UN Human Rights Council of UNRWA Funding Cuts’ Impact on Palestine Refugees from Syria 

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Press Release

Geneva – The Palestinian Return Centre (PRC) has warned of the serious humanitarian and human rights consequences resulting from continued reductions in funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), stressing that these cuts threaten the fundamental rights of Palestinian refugees, particularly those from Syria. 

This was stated in a written submission presented by the Centre to the United Nations Human Rights Council during its 61st session. The report was deposited as an official UN document under Agenda Item 3, concerning the promotion and protection of all human rights, under reference A/HRC/61/NGO/171. 

The Centre noted that Palestine refugees in Syria continue to face extremely difficult humanitarian conditions after more than thirteen years of conflict, which led to widespread displacement and the destruction of major refugee camps such as Yarmouk, Daraa, and Ein el-Tal, alongside economic collapse and declining international assistance. 

The report stated that more than 90% of Palestine refugees remaining in Syria now live below the poverty line, relying almost entirely on humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs. 

PRC warned that reductions in UNRWA services, including cash assistance, health services, and education, are pushing thousands of refugee families to the brink of hunger and homelessness, worsening food insecurity, increasing debt, and limiting access to medical treatment and healthcare. 

The Centre stressed that UNRWA services are not merely voluntary humanitarian aid but constitute an international obligation arising from the responsibility of the international community toward the Palestine refugee question, based on UN General Assembly Resolution 302 (1949) and relevant international human rights instruments. 

The report also expressed concern over the politicisation of UNRWA funding and attempts to condition financial support on changes to educational content or Palestinian national identity, noting that such practices undermine the cultural rights of the Palestinian people. 

PRC called on the Human Rights Council to urge donor states to resume suspended funding to UNRWA and ensure sustainable and predictable support for its programmes. It also called for a dedicated humanitarian response for Palestine refugees from Syria, including housing, livelihoods support, and the reconstruction of destroyed refugee camps. 

The Centre concluded by stressing that Palestine refugees are not merely aid recipients but rights-holders protected under international law, and that safeguarding UNRWA and supporting its work is a legal and moral obligation that cannot be deferred.