UNRWA plans Turkey office to boost Gaza, Syria aid as pledges dip
Speaking exclusively to Al-Monitor, UNRWA’s Tamara Alrifai said the upcoming Turkey office would help the agency to expand its operations not only in Gaza but also in Syria.
ANKARA — As it prepares to open its Ankara office, the United Nations' refugee agency (UNRWA) is counting on Turkey not only to support Gazans but also to act as a hub to coordinate efforts to help rebuild Palestinian refugee camps in war-torn Syria.
With Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s formal approval last month, UNRWA is moving to establish its Ankara office, a step aimed at deepening ties with Turkey to boost fundraising and support reconstruction efforts in Syria. Speaking exclusively to Al-Monitor from Amman where she is based, Tamara Alrifai, UNRWA's director of external relations, said that the agency aims to get the office up and running before the end of 2026, though she declined to give a concrete timetable.
Receding global support
In addition to supporting Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and other areas where Palestinian refugees live like Jordan and Lebanon, Turkey's UNRWA office will also be a hub for coordinating relief and rebuilding efforts in Syria, as the agency navigates shrinking international support.
