The United Nations Middle East Refugee Agency, commonly known as UNRWA, is an international humanitarian organization established in 1949. Its primary mandate is to provide assistance and protection to Palestinian refugees who were displaced during the Arab-Israeli conflict of 1948 and their descendants.
Main functions and activities of UNRWA:
Humanitarian Assistance: UNRWA provides a range of essential humanitarian services to Palestinian refugees, including food, shelter, healthcare, education and social services. These services are essential to help Palestinian communities meet their basic needs and improve their quality of life.
Education: UNRWA runs an extensive network of schools in the Palestinian territories, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. These schools provide free primary and secondary education to hundreds of thousands of Palestinian children each year, playing a crucial role in promoting human development and capacity building in conflict-affected communities.
Medical Care: The agency operates health clinics in its areas of operation, providing basic medical services, prenatal care, vaccination services, and treatment for chronic diseases. These services are essential given the difficult health situation and limited access to medical care in some areas.
Socio-economic Assistance: UNRWA provides socio-economic support to the most vulnerable Palestinian communities, including food aid programs, cash assistance and economic development programs aimed at promoting self-reliance and empowerment of refugees.
Protection and Defense of Rights: UNRWA plays an important role in protecting the rights of Palestinian refugees, advocating for their international recognition and promoting their right of return and self-determination.
UNRWA is funded primarily by voluntary contributions from governments and individual donors around the world. However, the agency faces recurring financial challenges that impact its ability to provide vital services to Palestinian refugees. Despite these challenges, UNRWA continues to play a crucial role in providing humanitarian assistance and protection to millions of Palestinian refugees across the region.