The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) yesterday warned that the needs of refugees in the Gaza Strip are greater than the funds available, the Safa news agency reported.
According to a report issued by the organisation, the number of refugees and their needs have been increasing however the agency’s budget has not risen at the same level. It said it expected a $74 million budget deficit in 2016.
It added that all its funds are suffering from massive budget deficits.
UNRWA noted that donors pledged $247 million for temporary housing programmes in the wake of the 2014 Israeli offensive on Gaza; the programme needs $720 million, creating a deficit of $473 million.
In an attempt to resolve this problem, the international organisation called on donors to donate generously to the emergency housing programme, which covers rents and cash assistance to rebuild and repair homes across the Gaza Strip.