Thousands of Palestine Refugee families across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, face daily threats of displacement and insecurity. To address this urgent need, the European Union (EU), through its European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), has provided €5 million in emergency funding to UNRWA for protection and emergency shelter support for communities affected by occupation-related violence.
The funding supports a 12-month action plan launched by UNRWA in July 2025, titled “Protection of and emergency response for Palestine Refugees affected by occupation-related violence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.” This initiative aims to strengthen UNRWA’s capacity to respond quickly when families are impacted by demolitions, settler violence, search-and-arrest operations, and other protection risks during crises.
The intervention is expected to benefit over 500,000 Palestine Refugees who are increasingly exposed to protection risks due to rising violence, movement restrictions, and worsening humanitarian conditions. UNRWA will provide monitoring, documentation of violations, and humanitarian support to help maintain safety and dignity for affected families.
Funding will enable UNRWA to deliver timely emergency assistance, including psychological first aid, case management, and specialized referrals. Families impacted by displacement, shelter damage, or loss of belongings will receive cash-based support to meet urgent needs, secure temporary housing, and carry out essential repairs.
The EU’s contribution also enhances UNRWA’s operational capacity by allowing the deployment of engineers for shelter assessments and improving staff security to ensure safe humanitarian access in volatile and hard-to-reach areas.
In 2025 alone, the EU allocated €23 million in humanitarian aid to UNRWA for assistance in both the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank. This funding underscores the EU’s critical role in enabling UNRWA to provide Palestine Refugees with urgent shelter and essential services in the occupied West Bank.
