Health
You can make life healthier for Palestine refugees.
We believe that everyone should have access to quality health care. For over 60 years, UNRWA has significantly improved the health of Palestine refugees. Diseases preventable by vaccines and other communicable diseases have been almost eradicated and infant, child, and maternal mortality rates have declined.
Primary Healthcare for refugees
UNRWA supports primary healthcare for Palestine refugees
For over 60 years, UNRWA, through its 143 health centers, has been delivering comprehensive primary health care services, both preventive and curative, to Palestine refugees, and helping them access secondary and tertiary health care services.
UNRWA has significantly improved the health of Palestine refugees. Diseases preventable by vaccines and other communicable diseases have been almost eradicated, and infant, child, and maternal mortality rates have declined.
Like UNRWA teachers, most UNRWA health workers are refugees themselves.
hear directly from Dr. Ghada al-jadba, UNRWA’s chief of health in Gaza
Dr. Ghada Al-Jadba has one of the most difficult jobs in the world: she cares for the health of all refugees across the blockaded Gaza Strip as the UNRWA Chief of Health. A refugee herself, and an UNRWA scholarship recipient, Dr. Ghada is a health hero and beloved figure in Palestine.
Hear her speak with our Director of Communications, Laila Mokhiber, about how Americans and our government can better support Palestine refugees.
refugee Mental health
All children, and all people, from the United States to Palestine deserve to live full, healthy lives.
Tragically, Palestine refugees are more likely to experience poor mental health, such as depression, anxiety, and even PTSD, due to the cruel and deteriorating conditions they are continuously forced to endure. According to Save the Children, after 15 years of blockade, four out of five children in Gaza say they are living with depression, grief, and fear.
Mental health and physical health are inextricably linked with mental health disorders strongly correlated with the risk and prevalence of chronic diseases and health conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease, and cancer.
UNRWA provides life-enhancing mental health and psychosocial support to adults and children through its education and health programs
But UNRWA’s services are contingent on adequate funding.
Since 2012, UNRWA USA continues to advocate and fundraise for refugee mental health via our signature Gaza 5K walk/runs
Your participation and support via our Gaza 5K walk/runs, whether virtual or in-person, helps support incredible UNRWA counselors and enable their vision for a just, supportive world where mental health matters — for all of us.
hear directly UNRWA mental health counselors in Gaza
We welcome you to take the time to listen to this very moving update from two UNRWA counselors in the Gaza Strip about the mental health of Palestine refugees and ways you can help enhance their wellbeing through our Gaza 5K walk/runs.
“The blockade on Gaza isn’t just physical. It doesn’t just affect the economic and social situation in Gaza. It’s a blockade on the mind.”
-Dr. Ghada Al-Jadba, UNRWA’s Gaza Chief of Health
The Gaza 5K is UNRWA USA’s signature event, and since 2012 it's been instrumental in generating critical mental health support for Palestine refugees in the Gaza Strip. But really, YOU are the magic behind our mission.
Rana Abu-Sbaih is a long time friend and supporter of our work. In honor of our upcoming NYC Gaza 5K happening in Brooklyn on Saturday, March 5, 2022, we briefly chatted with Rana about her contributions over the years, what inspires her volunteerism, and why she chooses UNRWA USA to express her solidarity with Palestine refugees.