UNRWA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – International Organization)

Context: India recently announced that it has provided US $ 2.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East or the UNRWA for the welfare of Palestinian refugees.

United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) 

• About: UNRWA is a UN agency dedicated to supporting the relief and human development of Palestinian refugees.
• Establishment: 1948 Arab-Israeli war by UNGA Resolution 302 (IV) on December 8, 1949.
• Commenced operations on May 1, 1950.
• Headquarters: Beirut, Lebanon, Relocated to Vienna, Austria, in 1978.
• Fields of Operations: Provides services in five areas: Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Gaza Strip, and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
• Services Provided: Encompasses education, healthcare, relief and social services, camp infrastructure improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance, including during armed conflicts.
• Funding: Voluntary contributions from UN Member States.

oReceives some funding from the Regular Budget of the United Nations, mainly for international staffing costs.