--- title: "Funding Cuts Impact Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon" url: https://noti.group/funding-cuts-impact-palestinian-refugees-in-lebanon/ language: en publisher: "Noti Group" section: "World News" published: 2026-11-13T04:51:56.000Z updated: 2026-11-13T05:30:31.301Z id: 56d41992-7c4a-4487-97ab-11841b36764e source: "Al Jazeera https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/11/13/unrwa-funding-cuts-deepen-hardship-for-palestinian-refugees-in-lebanon?traffic_source=rss" attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/funding-cuts-impact-palestinian-refugees-in-lebanon/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Funding Cuts Impact Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon The funding shortfall has led to significant reductions in services provided by UNRWA in Lebanon's Palestinian refugee camps. Palestinian refugees in Lebanon are facing increased hardship due to funding cuts made by the UN branch focused on Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA. The agency's ability to provide crucial aid has been severely impacted since the Trump administration decided not to lift a US funding freeze imposed in 2024. The funding shortfall has led to significant reductions in services provided by UNRWA in Lebanon's Palestinian refugee camps. Many schools and healthcare centres have had to close or reduce their operating hours, leaving thousands of refugees without access to essential support. Parents are struggling to cope with the consequences of these cuts, particularly when it comes to their children's education. "My kids cannot retain what they are taught in class," said Doumoua al-Baitan, a divorced mother of four who lives in Beirut's Bourj el-Barajneh camp. Overcrowding is becoming a major issue as more and more students are being packed into already overburdened classrooms. In addition to this, there has been an increase in the use and sale of illegal drugs among young people living in the camps. The Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon have been struggling with a severe funding shortfall due to UNRWA's financial constraints. This has had far-reaching consequences for the community, which is already vulnerable due to its lack of Lebanese citizenship and limited access to certain professions. Palestinians in Lebanon are prohibited from working as doctors, lawyers, engineers, and pharmacists, exacerbating their vulnerability. The impact of the funding shortfall can be seen in the education sector, where schools have been forced to reduce their operating hours by 20 percent since February. This has meant that many students now attend school for only four days a week instead of five. The reduction in service working hours is a desperate attempt by UNRWA to make ends meet. The situation is particularly dire in the northern Beddawi camp, where 15 additional classrooms have been added to accommodate over 35,000 pupils across 58 schools. This influx of students has put a significant strain on resources, making it even more challenging for UNRWA to provide adequate education services. The agency's spokesperson, Fadi al-Tayyar, had warned in October that a significant funding shortfall would force them to make severe cuts. The lack of Lebanese citizenship means that Palestinians living in the country are unable to access many basic rights and services. As a result, they rely heavily on UNRWA for essential services such as healthcare, relief, and social support. The agency's reduced capacity is having a devastating impact on an already vulnerable population, leaving them even more exposed to hardship and poverty. The shutdown of schools in Bourj el-Barajneh refugee camp has resulted in overcrowding, with some classrooms accommodating up to 40 students at a time, according to residents who live there. A monthly report from the Jafra Foundation highlights the dire situation faced by Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, where funding shortfalls are having a devastating impact on essential services. The report warns that the shortfall threatens education, healthcare, water, and sanitation services provided by UNRWA, exacerbating pressures on millions of refugees across its five areas of operation. Only 15 out of 26 primary healthcare centres and clinics run by UNRWA remain operational, according to a recent emergency report. This is a stark contrast to the number that were functioning just months ago, with 11 centres having been forced to shut down due to lack of funding. Among those struggling are an estimated 19,000 Palestinian refugees from Syria who have fled their war-torn country and now live in Lebanon. A policy change introduced in May 2024 has made it increasingly difficult for them to obtain residency renewals, leaving many vulnerable to detention and unable to access education or employment opportunities. The situation is further complicated by the fact that between 3,000 and 5,000 Palestinian refugees living in Lebanon are undocumented, making it even harder for them to navigate the already complex bureaucratic system. The economic strain caused by UNRWA's funding cuts has also led to a surge in social problems within Lebanon's Palestinian refugee camps. Experts and locals alike point to the lack of employment opportunities as a primary contributor to this issue. Fadi Abu Halawa, security officer at the Jafra Foundation in Beirut, attributes the rise in crime and substance abuse in the camps directly to the economic downturn. According to his organization's monthly reports, there has been an uptick in both incidents. The situation on the ground is further complicated by the meager rations provided by UNRWA, which have sparked widespread discontent among refugees. In Jafra's October report, it was noted that the allocation of a 5-kilogram bag of flour to each family fell woefully short of meeting their basic needs. In response to these cuts and subpar services, residents of Shatila camp are planning a sit-in protest for this Friday. This action is part of a larger effort by refugees in Lebanon's camps to draw attention to their plight and pressure authorities to take action. The report highlights a growing concern for the safety and well-being of Palestinian refugees living in Lebanon's camps. Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon have heightened tensions, causing instability in the camps. With fears of displacement on the rise, refugee families are bracing themselves for potential new waves of migration. The situation has been exacerbated by recent developments, which have raised alarms about the security of these vulnerable communities. --- Source: [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/11/13/unrwa-funding-cuts-deepen-hardship-for-palestinian-refugees-in-lebanon?traffic_source=rss) Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/funding-cuts-impact-palestinian-refugees-in-lebanon/