UN agency for Palestinian refugees on the verge of collapse

Time is running out fast. Thousands of jobs could be lost if the financial situation of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) doesn't improve promptly, says Philippe Lazzarini, the organization's commissioner-general, reported by DW News.

"Our financial resources are at their lowest level in years. We really hope the situation improves and we're doing all we can to keep UNRWA up and running. However, without the funds that we've calculated we need, we won't be able to provide our services. Obviously, we're doing what we can to avoid that situation."

According to Lazzarini, a financial shortfall of $70 million (€59 million) looms for the months of November and December, which means employees' salaries could be affected and might have to be pushed back into next year. Most of them are refugees themselves.

As part of its remit, UNRWA supports Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip, East of al-Quds (Jerusalem), and the occupied West Bank, as well as in Lebanon and Jordan.

The Gaza Strip is expected to be hit hardest by the impending default of payments. UNRWA is the biggest employer there with around 13,000 people on its books. The economy is already in free fall, with unemployment at over 50%. "The people here really depend on international aid," says Lazzarini.

The situation isn't much better in Lebanon, home to some 174,000 Palestinian refugees. Access to the labor market is limited. For months now, the country has been experiencing the worst economic crisis since the civil war ended in 1990. The devastating explosion in Beirut in August has exacerbated the situation, and while the local population is struggling to make ends meet, it's even more difficult for the refugees. Around 90% of them depend on UNRWA's support. On top of that, there are around 1.5 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon who are also in dire need of help.