Regional Programme for Palestinian Refugees in the Middle East (REPAC VI)

completed

The project builds on the predecessor projects (REPAC I, II, III, V Regional Programmes for Palestinian Refugees in the Middle East Region (BMZ No. 2009.65.061; 2012.66.840, 2013.6722.6 and 2014.68.628). The present phase is part of the review of the FC module REPAC IV (2014.68.628). The overarching development policy objective of the FC measure is to visibly improve the living conditions of the population affected by the ongoing crises in and around Palestinian refugee camps in the Middle East. The project is intended to make a contribution to securing peace and stability in the region. The programme objective is to improve access to and provide demand-oriented social and economic infrastructure for the population in and around Palestinian refugee camps. The FC project (REPAC IV) is designed as an open programme. The identification the individual measures will be implemented during the course of implementation through the participatory involvement of the residents of the Palestinian refugee camps and can be expanded immediately if further funds become available. It builds on the activities of the predecessor programs and will essentially comprise two project components: Project component A comprises social and economic infrastructure measures that are designed and implemented using a participatory approach (Camp Improvement Program) in selected UNRWA refugee camps. Project component B also comprises investment measures in the area of social and economic infrastructure that can be implemented by UNRWA without a prior participatory process, provided they serve to meet the immediate basic needs of the affected Palestinian refugees. Within the framework of this component B, in addition to infrastructure, temporary grants can also be made to the household income of poor refugees. The EUR 30 million for REPAC VI is earmarked for the reconstruction of housing in Gaza within the framework of project component B. According to UNRWA, around 140,000 houses and apartments belonging to Palestinian refugees were partially or completely destroyed as a result of the armed conflicts in the Gaza Strip in the summer of 2014. The total cost of reconstruction under the UNRWA Shelter Program was estimated at around USD 720 million in April 2015, which significantly exceeds the funds available to date. The additional FC funds will be used to create housing for around 1,508 Palestinian refugee families (around 8,100 individuals) and to pay temporary rental subsidies for around 3,300 Palestinian refugee families (around 17,600 individuals).