What is UNRWA?

What is Their Mission? 

UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, was established in 1949 “to carry out […] direct relief and works programmes’ for Palestine refugees.” The agency is also responsible for providing “humanitarian assistance” to Palestinian refugees in multiple sectors such as health care, social services and “emergency assistance including in situations of armed conflict.” The agency is located in five “fields of operation” which include: Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Judea and Samaria (including East Jerusalem) and Gaza.

Who are the Member States? 

The member states of UNRWA are the following: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey (Türkiye), the United Kingdom, the United States, and several Arab states. The Palestinian Authority (PA) has observer status.