Palestinians

Where do you work in the region?

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.

What are the major challenges for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the region?

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.

How much Bureau funding went to projects in the region in fiscal year 2007 (October 2006 – September 30, 2007)?

Between October 1, 2006 and September 30, 2007 (FY07), the Bureau contributed $90.65 million to the UNRWA General Fund and $63.5 million to the Emergency Appeals (for West Bank/Gaza and Lebanon). The Bureau contributes to each of these funds annually.

Where are your Refugee Coordinators based? Which countries do they cover?

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.

What are the largest and/or most complex projects you fund?

UNRWA operations are large and complex, addressing the basic education, health, relief, and social service needs of 4.5 million Palestinian refugees.

Which programs are the newest? Which ones are the oldest? Which have ended recently due to the end of a refugee crisis?

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.

Which international organization (IO) and non-governmental organization (NGO) partners are active in your region?

• United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
• International Committee of the Red Cross/Red Crescent (ICRC)
• United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)