MEDIA ADVISORY
February 28, 2022

Saturday: Refugee Mental Health Unites NYC Runners1,000 expected to participate in seventh annual NYC Gaza 5K walk/run at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park

NEW YORK - On Saturday, March 5, 2022, at 8:00 am ET, hundreds will gather at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park to support mental health funding for Palestine refugees as part of UNRWA USA’s seventh annual NYC Gaza 5K walk/run.

An estimated two in three children in the Gaza Strip face acute mental health challenges caused by trauma as a result of the May 2021 Israeli military assault on Gaza, 16 years of air, land, and sea blockade, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is the only agency with a UN mandate to provide critical social services in the Gaza Strip. Funds raised for the 5K ensure that thousands of children receive the care they need to be healthy and reach their full potential.

The event is hosted by UNRWA USA, an independent 501c3 nonprofit organization that lifts up the voices, experiences, and humanity of Palestine refugees to secure American support for resources essential to every human being for the promise of a better life. Proceeds will support the salaries of specialized UNRWA mental health counselors - recruited from the local refugee population - to provide individual and targeted group counseling to Palestine refugees. These counselors also organize public community awareness campaigns on mental health issues and provide guidance on coping mechanisms. 

Beyond mental health, UNRWA provides education, health care, relief and social services, microfinance, and emergency assistance to a population that has grown to more than five million Palestine refugees across the Gaza Strip, the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan.

Mara Kronenfeld, Executive Director of UNRWA USA said: “After two years of going virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re excited to get out of our houses in a safe manner and return to the joy of in-person Gaza 5K gatherings. We hope these efforts offer encouragement and hope for the many Palestine refugees living under blockade who bravely endure trauma after trauma.”

Greta Gunnarsdottir, the Director of the UNRWA Representative Office of New York, who represents the Agency at the United Nations, said: “UNRWA USA’s relentless efforts help ensure that UNRWA can continue to attend to the mental wellbeing of Palestine refugee children in Gaza, who, like all children, deserve freedom from fear and freedom from want.” 

The event is open to the media, and interview opportunities are welcome. Please contact Laila Mokhiber, Director of Communications at laila@unrwausa.org or (202) 223-3767 for more information.

DETAILS:

WHAT: 2022 NYC Gaza 5K walk/run

WHEN: Saturday, March 5, 20228 am – Packet pick-up9:45 am – Opening remarks10 am – Race kicks off11 am – Closing ceremony and dabke dancing with DJ Fatin12:30 pm - Event ends

WHERE: Prospect Park’s Grecian Shelter, Parkside Avenue &, Parade Place, Brooklyn, NY 11215

WHO:

• UNRWA USA supporters

• Greta Gunnarsdottir, UNRWA’s Representative Office of New York, available for media interviews

• Bill Deere, UNRWA’s Representative Office of Washington, available for media interviews

• Mara Kronenfeld, Executive Director of UNRWA USA, available for media interviews

• Laila Mokhiber, Director of Communications, available for media interviews

WHY: To support UNRWA programs in the Gaza Strip addressing Palestine refugees’ mental health

Competitive awards will be given to the top fundraisers and top female and male runners in the following age categories: 1-12, 13-19, 20-39, 40-59, and 60+.

The 2022 NYC Gaza 5K is made possible through the participation of volunteers and community groups, including host committee members Abdul Elenani, Ayat Masoud, Esq., Bob Madey, Brad Parker, Cherien Dabis, Dr. Mina Ebrahem, Essa Masoud, Jenan Matari, Nadia Ben-Youssef, Nadia Ghannam, Nasser Jaber, Ramz Shalbak, Rana Abu-Sbaih, Rania Mustafa, Salah Zalatimo, and Tarek Z. Ismail.

Major sponsors include Ayat, Balady Foods, the Palestinian American Medical Association (PAMA), and Iman Fund. Race details are available at gaza5k.org.

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