live in extremely precarious conditions – especially PRS7 and Palestinian refugees who do not hold a national ID (non-IDs) – as discriminatory legislation bars access to employment and government services, including public health care. In both Jordan and Lebanon, the situation for PRS that illegally crossed the borders remains cause for concern in terms of visibility and reception of assistance, and/or protection by humanitarian actors, including UNRWA. In occupied Palestine,8 Palestinian refugees, like other Palestinians in the area, experience challenges primarily related to the Israeli occupation: territorial fragmentation, including a 13-yearold blockade of Gaza and the threat of annexation of ample areas of the West Bank; the annexation of East Jerusalem, in disregard of its internationally recognized status; the continuous exposure of Palestinians, including minors, to assaults by Israeli armed forces and Jewish settlers; a strangulated economy with limited livelihood opportunities; severe curtailment of freedom of movement; the suppression of significant civil and political rights and freedom. In pre-war Syria,9 Palestinian refugees were treated almost on par with Syrian citizens (but precluded from acquiring citizenship), with a granted access to economic rights and social services. The ongoing conflict has compromised their safety resulting in internal displacement within Syria, and seeking refuge in neighbouring countries, and abroad. With specific regard to health, Palestinian refugees are prone to various forms of disease, common among poor, deprived communities, including noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension and cancer, as well as common risk factors such as obesity, tobacco smoking, and lack of physical exercise.10 Studies of Palestinian refugees 2 in Jordan and Lebanon have indicated that camp residents are especially prone to illhealth, largely due to heightened poverty levels and the lack of adequate water, sanitation, hygiene and health (WASH) infrastructure.11 Indeed, there is a strong social gradient to health for Palestinian refugees; poor Palestinians with low educational attainment are typically more prone to disease.12 As for health services, access to public health care differs across the region: in Jordan, Palestinian refugees have access to public healthcare on the same level as citizens, with the exception of certain groups like the ex-Gazans and PRS; in Lebanon, Palestinian refugees, as noncitizens, cannot access the public health system; in occupied Palestine, refugees have access to the same public services as all Palestinians, but are affected by the restrictions and barriers imposed by the occupation (lack of permit, checkpoints, the wall); in Syria, Palestinians used to have access to public health care, but services have been significantly limited due to the conflict. Insurance coverage differs across the region, ranging from high coverage in occupied Palestine to extremely low coverage (5.5%) in Lebanon.13 In all countries, the main health provider for Palestinian refugees is UNRWA, which provides comprehensive primary health care (PHC) in all areas through 143 Agency-run health centers. The Agency also operates a Hospitalization Support Programme that covers part of the costs of secondary and tertiary care at external facilities, depending on national policies.14 Nevertheless, in practice, Palestinian refugees’ access to health care is often compromised by limited resources and capacity, low quality of care, and unaffordable co-payments.15