What We Do

Who Are Palestinian Refugees?

Since 1948, conflict in Palestine and Syria has displaced Palestinians from their homes, forcing them to live in refugee camps. In some cases, Palestinian refugees have fled twice — once from Palestine, and a second time from Syria.

As foreigners to a new land, refugees aren't afforded the same rights as citizens. These restrictions make it difficult for them to get jobs and education to make a life within refugee camps. Regardless of these challenges, however, refugees persevere.

Where Do They Live?

Many Palestinian and Syrian refugees flee or have previously fled to Lebanon, where more than 25% of people are refugees. The nation's 12 camps were built in 1948 as a temporary solution, but many refugees from Palestinian and now Syrian conflicts still reside in these areas.

Approximately 450,000 Palestinians in Lebanon have lived in refugee camps for generations. Due to the war in Syria, more than one million Syrian refugees have now joined their numbers. Overcrowding and crumbling infrastructure eventually forced refugees to live in unsafe conditions.

How Does Anera Help?

Anera employs 130 staff members from all disciplines who serve the Middle Eastern communities they are from. In fact, those who work with Palestinian and Syrian refugees are often refugees themselves. We offer six programs based on the most common refugee needs:

• Education: Children and young adults must receive a comprehensive education to have a promising future. Anera organizes initiatives that give refugees and other vulnerable people the academic, vocational and daily living skills they need to succeed.
• Health: Communities with minimal financial support like refugee camps often have difficulty accessing sufficient health care. When they do find a doctor to see, it's likely that doctor will have outdated, unreliable equipment. Anera makes health care accessible by providing supplies, infrastructure and medicine to clinics and hospitals. We also educate refugee and other vulnerable communities about how to stay healthy under poor conditions.
• Water: Due to pollution and climate change, the amount of potable water available in locations like Palestine dwindles. Anera manages water purification and sewage in disadvantaged communities and teaches refugees how to stay safe when water becomes polluted.
• Agriculture: Humans cannot survive without farmers to raise crops and animals for food. Palestine faces challenges in implementing sustainable agricultural practices, and reduced water availability limits farmers' capabilities. Anera supports local farms and provides resources to boost agricultural industries in Gaza and beyond.
• Emergency: Anera's emergency programs are vital for Palestinian and Syrian refugees across the Middle East. War creates infrastructure damage, psychological trauma, physical injury and resource shortages. With three wars in Gaza within a decade, emergency programs like ours give survivors resources and hope.
• Community: Disadvantaged communities like refugee camps benefit from Anera's social initiatives that improve the job market and promote togetherness.

Ways To Help Syrian and Palestinian Refugees

When you donate to Anera, your gift will go directly toward addressing top priorities in the Palestinian refugee program. Donate today to help us make life better for thousands Syrian and Palestinian refugees and other vulnerable communities.