From its establishment in 1991 until June 2022, UNRWA's Microfinance Programme has issued almost 616,172 loans valued at $656,956,898 in its entire area of operation that covers the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, and Syria. The Microfinance Programmes in the West Bank and Gaza have been managed by 11 branch offices that retailed half of these loans (306,352 loans) and 63 percent (US$417,085,145) of all invested amounts. Of these investments, 44 percent have supported women's businesses, improving the quality of life of target groups.
As the UNRWA Microfinance Programme is committed to maintaining service continuity to its target groups, especially during difficult times, it was the only microfinance program that continued to provide lending services, especially in Gaza after 2006 and in Syria after 2011. The program adopts the microfinance industry's best practices, which have been certified through a global microfinance rating agency. In 2017, the program received the grade of A+ by MicroFinanza Rating and was granted the "Leader Milestone" for its near-perfect adherence to the three Pro-Poor Principles by Truelift. Such ratings placed the program first among microfinance programs in the MENA region and fifth worldwide.
"This was published in the October edition of This Week in Palestine". Click here.
