UNRWA's services have expanded over the years to include
education, health care, relief, social services, infrastructure, and emergency
response. The agency operates in five areas: Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza
Strip, and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem
NOW (10/2024)
The Israeli Knesset has passed a bill banning UNRWA from
operating in Israel and another bill that will likely scale back aid
distribution across war-ravaged Gaza.
The Knesset passed the laws despite strong international
condemnation.
The humanitarian system in Gaza could collapse completely if Israel implements legislation banning the UN Relief and Works Agency from operating there, warns UNICEF spokesperson James Elder, who says the decision "means that a new way has been found to kill children." Gaza's health, education and water systems all rely on UNRWA, and no other humanitarian group can replace the organization, Norwegian Refugee Council Secretary-General Jan Egeland says.
What will the bills do?
One bill makes it illegal for Israeli officials to have any
contact with UNRWA. The second prohibits UNRWA from conducting activities
within Israel’s borders (which includes Gaza) – a rule that will come into
effect in three months.
This will make it impossible for the agency to obtain any
entrance permits to operate in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip – both
of which are under Israeli control.
It will also make it impossible for the agency to transport
assistance through Israeli territory to Palestinians in need. (Note: Israel
controls all access by air, land and water in Palestine)
Why is Israel passing these bills?
This is not the first time UNRWA has come under pressure
from Israeli authorities.
In January, Israeli authorities accused UN workers of
participating in the October 7, 2023, attacks on southern Israel. This resulted
in countries cutting funding to UNRWA, including Australia, Austria, Britain,
Canada, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Romania,
Switzerland and the United States.
After a UN oversight body investigated UNRWA staff
involvement in the attacks, nine UNRWA staff members were fired in August.
At the time, UN spokesperson Farhan Haq stated: “We have
sufficient information … to take the actions that we’re taking – which is to
say, the termination of these nine individuals.”
What is UNRWA?
UNRWA is the main humanitarian organisation in Gaza and the
West Bank and also operates in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
It was established by the UN General Assembly in 1949 after
the 1948 Nakba to protect and assist Palestinians ethnically cleansed from
their homes.
It became operational on May 1, 1950, and since then has
helped generations of refugees, many of whom still live in camps.
It provides education, healthcare, social services and
emergency relief to people living in refugee camps in the Palestinian
territory, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
How many people does it serve?
In the past 70 years, roughly six million Palestinians have
relied on UNRWA’s support.
According to UNRWA’s website: “In 2021, almost 545,000
children were enrolled in UNRWA schools (2021-2022 school year); Social Safety
Net Programme assistance reached 398,044 beneficiaries; and 1.7 million
received life-saving humanitarian assistance.”
What services does it offer Palestinians?
UNRWA delivers crucial humanitarian aid and protection to
millions of registered Palestinian refugees.
Aside from emergency relief and year-round assistance that
the impoverished population needs to survive, UNRWA offers primary healthcare
and mental health support.
Its services also include schools where more than half a
million children were studying before Israel launched its war on Gaza on
October 7, 2023.
Among the projects it oversees, UNRWA also tries to provide
employment opportunities, microfinance programmes and support to Palestinians
who want to develop income-generating initiatives
Many UNRWA operations are in Palestinian refugee camps, but
it does not build, own or operate any camps, and it provides humanitarian
services both in and outside camps, to any Palestinian in need.
What healthcare facilities does UNRWA oversee?
UNRWA clinics see about 8.5 million patient visits a year to
144 healthcare centres.
It also employs more than 3,300 healthcare staff, which
makes it a significant employer in the Palestinian health sector.
What other social services does UNRWA provide?
UNRWA’s social services programmes include schemes from
helping women enter the workforce to supporting people with disabilities.
It runs several skills training programmes, both vocational
and professional.
Much in the same vein of its employment of Palestinians in
the healthcare sector, UNRWA itself provides employment opportunities to the
Palestinians who staff its centres, which offer things from training women in
traditional crafts, sewing, knitting and embroidery to physical rehabilitation
centres for injured Palestinians or Palestinians living with a disability.
