Palestinian Refugees and The Middle East

Palestinians have had refugee status for over 77 years. Currently, there are third and fourth generations of Palestinian refugees. They make up one of the largest and oldest refugee group in the world, with 6.0 million refugees registered with UNRWA.* Palestinian refugees are legally defined as people whose normal place of residence was Palestine between June 1946 and May 1948, who lost both their homes and means of livelihood because of the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict.  

One-third of the registered Palestinian refugees, over 1.5 million, live in 58 refugee camps in Jordan, Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

 *Source, UNRWA, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East.

Our Mission

Beirut and Beyond provides assistance to Palestinian refugee communities across the Middle East. Our partnership with Palestinian-led organizations involves providing them with necessary support, including funding, projects, resources, and manpower. In the United States, our primary focus is to educate on Palestinian refugee narrative. We are committed to advocating for the rights of Palestinian refugees

In 2026, Beirut and Beyond’s total focus is on Lebanon and our Palestinian partners.

Palestinian partners are delivering crucial services to the camps and the entire nation of Lebanon. Palestinian Civil Defense members are responding to camp emergencies and Israeli bombings in Beirut’s southern suburbs. Ahlam Lajea is working to make two recycling centers self-sustaining. Simsim Kitchen connects cultures through cooking classes and a cookbook featuring Lebanese diversity.

Partnering with Palestinian refugees and their impact during difficult times is important. Monthly donations can make a huge difference! We are raising $57,000 for 2026 projects. Click on the button below to find out how and see what our Palestinian partners are doing!

Our focus is not political, it is to serve and benefit Palestinian refugee communities who are in need. It is to share Palestinian refugee stories so they are known. It is important for us not to create more barriers in a complicated, painful conflict. But to build bridges so others can experience this community as I have. So, you too can see the beauty and dignity of Palestinian culture. 

Join us in building a brighter future…together. 

Suzann Mollner, Executive Director

See Who We Are