Global Policy Forum

By Taha Abu Reden

It is a story of love and hate that the Palestine refugees have shared with UNRWA for over half a century -- love for the vital role that UNRWA has played in their lives; and hate for the circumstances that turned them into refugees. UNRWA has a long history of being associated with one group of people. The Agency served them in times when the need was greatest, and preserved their cultural identity in their various locations and places of refuge in the host countries.

This is the story of UNRWA, which began its operations 51 years ago to cater for about 900,000 Palestinians (today they are about 3.5 million) who where expelled from their homes. UNRWA served as a stabilizing factor in a region that has been far from stable as a result of the conflicts and turmoil it has seen over the past 51 years. As such, UNRWA represents a unique success story in alleviating the suffering of the refugees and maintaining their human dignity, often under difficult conditions.

Throughout the years, and as there has been no solution to the refugee issue, UNRWA has become to the refugees a symbol of the international community's commitment to their cause. The mere existence of UNRWA carries the message that the world has not forgotten them. According to the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Mr. Peter Hansen, the Agency will continue to exist and to carry out its humanitarian mandate until the refugee issue has been resolved. "We are trying to fulfill this mandate in the best possible way with the financial resources made available to us", says Mr. Hansen. "Unlike governments, UNRWA cannot borrow money or levy taxes. The level of income has almost remained static while the refugees' numbers have continued to increase, causing more pressure on our services", Mr. Hansen adds.

While the refugees recall their long joint journey with UNRWA, they stand against the austerity measures adopted now and then by the Agency as a result of financial deficits. Reducing educational expenses would deprive thousands of children of an education. Likewise, reducing health services would deprive the Palestinians of proper health services that have already declined to a minimum level.

UNRWA's Public Information Officer, Matar Saqer, says that the tremendous improvement of the refugees conditions over the years is not attributable to UNRWA alone. As he puts it, the refugees themselves worked hard against all odds. They have risen above degradation to become some of the most best educated and most entrepreneurial people in the region. Continuing, Mr. Saqer adds that tribute should be also paid to the host governments that played their part in improving the refugees conditions. A country like Jordan, for example, spends more than $350 million year to provide direct and indirect support to the refugees, making it the largest host and donor country.

Although UNRWA was set up as a temporary agency, it is still there; and the refugees are also still waiting for a final solution to their problem.

A chronology of UNRWA's history:

1949: UNRWA is set up by General Assembly resolution 302 of 8 December to provide humanitarian services for the Palestine refugees.
1950: UNRWA begins operations on 1 May to cater for about 915,000 refugees.
1954: UNRWA opens first training centre in Kalandia (West Bank).
1964: UNRWA opens Institution of Education for teacher training purposes.
1966: Registered Palestine refugees exceed 1.3 million.
1967: Arab-Israeli war breaks out causing the displacement of thousands of refugees from the West Bank and Gaza into Jordan.
1968: UNRWA begins replacing tents in emergency camps with more durable shelters.
1969-1972: General Assembly forms a working group on the financing of UNRWA.
1973: Arab-Israeli hostilities renew.
1978: UNRWA HQ relocates from Beirut to Vienna as a result of the civil war in Lebanon.
1981: Registered refugees amount to 1.9 million.
1982: UNRWA launches a long-scale relief programme as a result of the Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
1988: UNRWA launches Expanded Programme of Assistance to the West Bank and Gaza with the beginning of the Intifadah.
1990: UNRWA introduces EMLOT to meet emergency needs in Lebanon and the occupied territories.
1991: The Gulf war causes the influx of about 400,000 Palestinians to Jordan and other fields of operations, placing more pressure on UNRWA's already limited resources.
1993: UNRWA launches the phase I of the Peace Implementation Programme.
1994: It is decided to relocate UNRWA Headquarters to Gaza and Amman.
1995: UNRWA marks 45th anniversary.
2001: UNRWA launches its second emergency appeal to provide emergency assistance to the refugees in the West Bank and Gaza affected by Israeli repressive measures.

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