UNRWA Definition and Mandate
– UNRWA’s definition of refugee covers individuals who resided in Palestine from 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948 and those displaced by the 1967 Six-Day War.
– UNRWA’s mandate is shaped by resolutions of the General Assembly and requests from other UN organs.
– The mandate is extended every three years, with the most recent extension until 30 June 2023.
– UNRWA is led by a Commissioner-General who manages all activities and personnel and reports to the General Assembly.
UNRWA Operations and Staff
– UNRWA operates in five fields: Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, West Bank, and Gaza.
– Each field is led by a director responsible for distributing aid and overseeing operations.
– UNRWA employs over 30,000 staff, with 99% being locally recruited Palestinians.
– The Commissioner-General appoints all staff members and reports directly to the General Assembly.
UNRWA Advisory Commission
– The UN General Assembly established the Advisory Commission (AdCom) to assist the Commissioner-General.
– The AdCom currently has 28 members and four observers.
– Membership is obtained through General Assembly resolutions.
– Host countries of Palestinian refugees and leading donors have representation on the AdCom.
Areas of Operation and Funding
– UNRWA provides services to registered Palestine refugees in its area of operations.
– By 2023, about 5.9 million people were registered for UNRWA services.
– UNRWA operates in 59 recognized refugee camps in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip.
– UNRWAs budget relies on voluntary contributions from UN member states.
– The United States and the European Commission were historically major contributors.
UNRWA Programs and Evaluation
– UNRWA’s education program is the largest area of activity, accounting for more than half of its budget.
– UNRWA provides healthcare services through primary care clinics and the Family Health Team approach.
– The Microfinance Department aims to alleviate poverty and support economic development in the refugee community.
– UNRWA takes actions to mitigate the effects of emergencies on Palestine refugees.
– UNRWA has received praise for its role as a safety net and positive evaluations from MOPAN.Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Relief_and_Works_Agency
