Back to Contents In its Protection Monitoring Report for the 1st quarter of the year 2022, UNRWA reported that: “In a March 2022 multi-sectoral needs assessment by REACH, Palestinian refugees reported higher rates of psychological and physical distress stemming from Lebanon’s overlapping crises than other population groups. Fifty percent of assessed households reported at least one adult member had been affected by such distress, compared to 45 percent among the Lebanese population and 34 percent among other refugee or migrant households.        Focal points reported that Palestinian refugees continued to experience difficulties coping with day-to-day living, with some also noting a sense of general hopelessness among community members. Parents remained anxious about providing basic necessities for their families, and some worried about the safety of their children in the insecure environments of the camps and surrounding areas. Difficulties accessing mental health services and the high cost of medication remained a gap particularly for those needing psychiatric intervention.” (Source: UNRWA, “UNRWA Protection Monitoring Report – Quarter 1 (Q1) 2022”, 1 July 2022, p. 3) In its annual report for the year 2021, UNRWA’s department of health wrote: “Ongoing protracted and acute conflicts, occupation, the lack of a just and durable solution for Palestine refugees’ status and the added burden of COVID-19 continue to affect the population›s physical, social and mental health. Assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental health and psychosocial-related disorders show that their prevalence is increasing throughout the fields of UNRWA operation. To address this trend, the Agency introduced a MHPSS programme in all five fields in 2018 which aims to identify and address mental illnesses, particularly in Gaza. MHPSS services are heavily integrated into UNRWA PHC and work towards ensuring that all Palestine refugees enjoy the highest attainable mental health level. In 2021 all 140 HCs across five fields of operations continued to integrate the MHPSS within its services.” (Source: UNRWA, “UNRWA Department of Health, Annual Report 2021”, 24 May 2022, p. 10) The same source further reported that: “Integrating the MHPSS [Mental Health and Psychosocial Support] Programme into UNRWA PHC [Primary Health Care] and the FHT [Family Health Team] Approach UNRWA aims to protect and promote the mental health of Palestine refugees through its MHPSS programme that is implemented in all Agency HCs. Reports from fields during the last four years have confirmed a high prevalence of mental health problems and psychological distress among Palestine refugees. The COVID-19 in addition to challenging social and economic situations aggravated these conditions.” (Source: UNRWA, “UNRWA Department of Health, Annual Report 2021”, 24 May 2022, p. 23) The UN office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs reported in April 2022 about the impact of COVID-19 on mental health: “Additionally, the crisis is taking a huge toll on the mental wellbeing of many and psychosocial needs among households are becoming alarming, with almost two in three (62 per cent) PRL households reporting that members (including adults and children) had experienced some form of psychological distress as a result of the crisis. Discrimination, particularly related to access to employment, stigma and isolation are exacerbating the severity of needs of this population group.” (Source: OCHA, “Increasing Humanitarian Needs in Lebanon, April 2022”, 14 April 2022, p. 28) 6. Access to health care 69