Two independent national associations that work to increase awareness of Palestine refugees and raise funds to support UNRWA are established, in Spain and the United States. A third national association is established in Italy in 2012.
UNRWA reduces the average infant mortality rate across its areas of operations to 2.2 per cent, surpassing the World Health Organization (WHO) standard for middle-income countries.
We provide assistance and protection for some 5 million registered Palestine refugees to help them achieve their full potential in human development.
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 2020.