LEBANON (Enmaeya News) - November 18, 2025

The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) warned that Palestinian refugees in Lebanon are suffering deeply amid the country’s economic meltdown and ongoing funding shortfalls. 

UNRWA estimates that 70-80% of Palestinians in Lebanon live in poverty, and many lack access to employment and property rights, worsening their vulnerability. 

 The agency remains the only consistent provider of basic services, overseeing education for 34,000 children across 60 schools and delivering primary health care through 26 clinics that serve about 200,000 patients per year. 

On top of that, UNRWA supports hospitalization costs through a cost-sharing system in 32 partner hospitals, with its cancer-treatment support now covering 75% of costs,  up from 50% in 2021. 

However, according to LBC, UNRWA is facing a cash shortage: it has not secured the necessary funds for the second half of this year, forcing its quarterly cash assistance,  previously reaching over 65% of the most vulnerable, to rely entirely on whatever funding is available. 

UNRWA stressed that despite these financial pressures, it remains committed to keeping its core services running, pledging to ensure that no child misses school and no patient is denied essential medical care.