The Contribution of Women to Peace and Reconciliation

Job creation
UNRWA alleviates the impact of unprecedented unemployment and pov -
erty through the provision of 7000 to 15,000 work contracts per month,
supporting tens of thousands of indirect beneficiaries. This provides
much-needed employment to men and women, injects cash into the
local economy, and supports the development of skills among unemployed
young graduates. In any one year, UNRWA will provide 25,000 -
40,000 such jobs, and could provide up to 55,000 jobs, if funds were
available.
Food assistance
Around 80% of Gazan households are dependent on food aid. Recent
UNRWA data indicate that more than 300,000 refugees in Gaza live
below the abject poverty line and are unable to meet their basic food
needs. Through emergency food aid, UNRWA seeks to meet the needs
of the most vulnerable, and counter the impact of the chronic difficulties
many people face in being able to afford food. At present, 750,000 ref -
ugees receive food aid. A separate school-feeding programme ensures
that all 207,000 pupils at UNRWA schools receive basic nutrition.
Cash assistance
To complement job creation and food assistance, UNRWA offers tar geted
cash assistance for which 60,000 of the poorest families are eligible, but
limited funds means that it is possible to help only 20,000 families.
Financial support is also provided to pupils at UNRWA schools. Paying
for uniforms and other essential items ensures that every child, however
poor, is able to go to school.
Strengthening essential services and emergency response
As part of the emergency programme, UNRWA has enhanced support
for essential services, especially health, education and environmental
health. The Agency closely monitors its interventions and maintains a
rapid response capacity to ensure an effective response to acute crises
affecting refugee communities.
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