It's easy to see donation figures as just that – numbers. But when we look at the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), those numbers tell a story of profound human impact, especially in a year like 2024.
Imagine the sheer scale of suffering. The report paints a stark picture: over 45,000 Palestinians lost their lives by the end of 2024, a devastating number that includes an estimated 14,500 children. Many more were injured, and an unimaginable 17,000 children were left orphaned, facing a future without parents. This was the epicenter in Gaza, but the struggles were widespread.
Across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Palestine Refugees endured escalating violence, settler attacks, and property damage. The situation in Lebanon saw over 112,000 people displaced due to hostilities. Even in Syria, where the civil war had ended, rampant inflation left over 60% of Palestine Refugees food insecure. And in Jordan, while many refugees enjoy rights similar to nationals, thousands of Palestine Refugees from Syria faced an uncertain future.
Amidst these escalating challenges, and tragically, the loss of over 260 UNRWA staff by year's end, something remarkable happened: your support grew. The report highlights a chorus of voices asking, "How can we help?" and "What more can we do?" This compassion and commitment from individual givers, long-term partners, and first-time donors alike sustained UNRWA's vital work.
And the result? Record-setting contributions totaling US$91.5 million from private sector partnerships alone. This wasn't just money; it was a lifeline. It meant that the Agency's lifesaving support for Palestine Refugees could continue, even as the hurdles became larger and more frequent.
Let's break down what that generosity actually achieved:
Feeding the Hungry
In Gaza, your support meant 1.7 million people – more than 80% of the population – received food parcels. Imagine the relief of a family receiving 76,000 metric tonnes of flour, enough for 388,000 families. And the simple, yet critical, provision of 960 million litres of domestic and potable water throughout the year.
For just $124, a family could receive a food parcel filled with essentials like rice, flour, sugar, oil, chickpeas, lentils, canned goods, salt, yeast, and milk powder. Every donation, no matter the size, contributed to this fundamental need.
Health and Well-being
Beyond immediate survival, your contributions ensured access to healthcare. 5.8 million medical consultations were delivered by UNRWA healthcare staff. Crucially, 730,000 people, including 520,000 children, received vital mental health and psychosocial support – a testament to the understanding that healing goes beyond physical wounds.
Shelter and Dignity
When homes are destroyed or families displaced, basic necessities become luxuries. Your support provided 700,000 people with tents, mattresses, and blankets. Sanitation supplies reached 967,000 individuals, and over 193,000 families received hygiene kits, offering a measure of dignity in dire circumstances.
Education and Future Prospects
Across Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the occupied West Bank, 241,000 students continued their education. In Gaza, 530,000 children benefited from non-formal learning activities and psychosocial support, offering a glimmer of hope and a chance for a brighter future.
Sustaining Lives Across the Region
Your solidarity extended to Palestine Refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, where 600,000 individuals received much-needed cash assistance. And for those living in precarious situations, food vouchers provided a critical safety net.
As Blanca Pérez Ramos, Chief of Private Sector Partnerships, so eloquently stated in the foreword, "We say it time and again: the Agency’s lifesaving support for Palestine Refugees would not be possible without your generosity and commitment." In 2024, you truly came through, time and again. It's a powerful reminder that behind every statistic is a human story, and your donations are the threads that weave hope into those narratives.
