For thousands of Palestine Refugee families across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, daily life is marked by fear and the risk of sudden displacement. In response, the European Union (EU), through its European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), has provided €5 million in emergency funding to UNRWA to support protection and emergency shelter for communities affected by occupation-related violence.
The funding supports a 12-month action plan initiated 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.” The initiative aims to strengthen the Agency’s ability to respond when families are impacted by demolitions, search-and-arrest operations, settler violence, and other protection risks during crises.
The intervention is expected to reach more than 500,000 Palestine Refugees, who face escalating risks due to intensified violence, increased movement restrictions, and a deteriorating humanitarian situation. Roland Friedrich, Director of UNRWA Affairs in the West Bank, emphasized that EU support allows UNRWA to monitor violations, inform humanitarian action, and provide safety and dignity for families enduring hardship.
The funding will also enable UNRWA to deliver timely emergency assistance, including psychological first aid, case management, and specialized referrals. Households affected by displacement, shelter damage, or loss of belongings will receive cash-based support to meet urgent needs, secure temporary accommodation, and carry out essential repairs.
EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, stressed that the EU, as the largest humanitarian donor to the Palestinian people, is stepping up to ensure refugee families in the West Bank have access to emergency shelter and humanitarian aid. The contribution also enhances UNRWA’s operational capacity, allowing engineers to conduct shelter assessments and improving staff security to ensure safe access to volatile and hard-to-reach areas.
In 2025 alone, the EU allocated a total of €23 million in humanitarian aid to UNRWA for assistance in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank. This support remains critical to enabling UNRWA to provide Palestine Refugees in the West Bank with urgent shelter and essential services.
