In an interview with Reuters in Damascus, UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krähenbühl said that it is clear that, with the continuation of the conflict, pressure is growing on the Palestinian refugees and the consequences are getting worse and more dangerous. He called on the international community to use political initiatives and do more to end their suffering, anxiety and fears about the future.

The UN official also noted that the world should continue to mobilise toward such an end. He rejected the argument that this is an old story that started 65 years ago, pointing out that the UN agency not only provides essential services to Palestinian refugees, but is also responsible for informing the world of what is happening to them.

UNRWA continues to distribute food aid to at least 18,000 Palestinians in refugee camps in Syria that were seized by gunmen in 2012.