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The Bureau contributes money to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to feed, house, educate and provide medical care and other relief and social services to approximately 4.7 million Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan.

What problems do Palestinian refugees face?

Conditions vary for Palestinian refugees in the five areas where UNRWA works. In many cases, Palestinian refugees face difficult security and economic conditions. Some Palestinian refugees lack employment opportunities and live in deep poverty, particularly in Gaza and Lebanon. Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza face access and movement restrictions, which create daily hardships for people attempting to commute to work or take their children to school.  The restrictions exacerbate an already difficult humanitarian situation.

How much money does the Bureau give to help Palestinian refugees?

Since October 1, 2008, the Bureau has given a total of $154.5 million, including $38.5 million in emergency relief for Palestinians in West Bank and Gaza. In Fiscal Year 2008 (October 1, 2007–September 30, 2008), the Bureau contributed a total of $184.7 million to UNRWA, nearly $100 million of which to UNRWA’s General Operations Budget and $84.8 million to UNRWA’s Emergency Appeals for the West Bank, Gaza and Lebanon.

Where is the Refugee Coordinator based? Which countries does he or she cover?

The Refugee Coordinator for Palestinian refugees is based in Jerusalem. This person oversees the Bureau's programming in Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria.

How long has UNRWA existed?

UNRWA is one of the longest-standing UN operations. The United Nations General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949 to provide humanitarian relief to Palestinians displaced in the 1948 conflict and their descendants, so 2009 marks UNRWA’s sixtieth anniversary. UNRWA began operations in 1950. Since then, the General Assembly has repeatedly renewed UNRWA's mandate, most recently extending it until June 30, 2011.

Which international organizations does the U.S. Government support to help Palestinian refugees?

• 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)

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Fact Sheets

02/26/09 - U.S. Government Relief for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip