Introduction
Syria hosts over 525,000 Palestinian refugees, almost 80 per cent of whom live in the greater Damascus area. The bulk of the refugee population in the rest of the country live in or around camps close to the major cities of Homs, Hama, Aleppo, Latakia, and Dera’a. The vast majority of Palestinian refugees maintain a neutral stance and refrain from involvement in the conflict. Nonetheless, Palestinian refugees have been caught up in the violence, with recent figures suggesting 1,000 Palestinian deaths and many more displaced. Refugee camps have been targeted in bombing campaigns and affected by collateral damage.
As violence, economic hardship and displacement escalate, Palestinian refugees in Syria, like their Syrian counterparts, increasingly require assistance. Prior to March 2011, Palestine refugees were already among the poorest communities in Syria, and therefore vulnerable with 27 per cent of the population estimated to be living below the poverty line (USD 2 dollars per day), and over 12 per cent were unable to meet their basic food needs.
The repercussions of conflict, sanctions and other economic strains now mean that Palestinian refugees are unable to cope. Female-headed households, the elderly, disabled, and chronically ill have been amongst the most severely affected. Many Palestinian refugees have fled into neighbouring Jordan and Lebanon, where they are faced with considerable challenges.