UPSC Express

Consider the following statements about United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)

1.     It was formed aftermath of 1948 Arab Israel conflict

2.     It is the only agency dedicated to helping refugees from a specific region or conflict

Select the correct statements

a     1 Only
b     2 Only
c      Both 1 and 2
d     Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation:

Solution (c)

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)

·      Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, UNRWA was established by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949 to carry out direct relief and works programmes for Palestine refugees. The Agency began operations on 1 May 1950.

·      In the absence of a solution to the Palestine refugee problem, the General Assembly has repeatedly renewed UNRWA’s mandate, most recently extending it until 30 June 2017.

·      The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN Member States.

·      UNRWA also receives some funding from the Regular Budget of the United Nations, which is used mostly for international staffing costs.

·      The Agency’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance, including in times of armed conflict.

·      Aid is provided in five areas of operation: Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem; aid for Palestinian refugees outside these five areas is provided by UNHCR.

UNRWA & UNHCR

·      UNRWA is the only agency dedicated to helping refugees from a specific region or conflict and is separate from UNHCR.

·      Formed in 1950, UNHCR is the main UN refugee agency, which is responsible for aiding other refugees all over the world.

·      Unlike UNRWA, UNHCR has a specific mandate to aid its refugees to eliminate their refugee status by local integration in current country, resettlement in a third country or repatriation when possible.

·      Both UNRWA and UNHCR allow refugee status to be inherited by descendants.