The Bureau works with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to meet the basic education, health, relief, and social service needs of 4.5 million Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan.
Challenges include working in an often difficult security environment; the need to secure better access and movement of humanitarian goods and workers; and the growing infrastructure and assistance needs of the population.
The Bureau obligated almost $497 million for refugees, returnees, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Near East, of which nearly $100 million was contributed to the General Fund of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and $84.8 million to UNRWA’s Emergency Appeals for the West Bank/Gaza and Lebanon.
The Refugee Coordinator for Palestinian refugees is based in Jerusalem. This position oversees activities in Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Egypt.
UNRWA operations are large and complex, addressing the basic education, health, relief, and social service needs of 4.5 million Palestinian refugees.
UNRWA was established by United Nations General Assembly resolution 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949 to carry out direct relief and works programs for Palestine refugees. UNRWA began operations on May 1, 1950. In the absence of a solution to the Palestine refugee situation, the General Assembly has repeatedly renewed UNRWA's mandate, most recently extending it until June 30, 2011.
02/26/09 - U.S. Government Relief for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip
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