The Middle East region has been marred by political instability over the years, which has caused poverty and unemployment and has resulted in high numbers of refugees and internally displaced people. Ongoing conflict in the Occupied Palestinian Territories has meant that the poorest Palestinians cannot travel freely and have little or no opportunity to earn a living. Young people find themselves growing up in an uncertain environment where there are few prospects for the future. Unemployment in the region is at a record high and there is an increasing scarcity of resources and a worsening security situation. This means that many young people cannot access education or training services to enable them to earn a livelihood. This creates a sense of disillusionment and hopelessness for the future.