The United Nations on the ground
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
UNRWA was established by UN 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. The Agency’s mandate has evolved over the years, as set out in various General Assembly resolutions, to extend to the provision of emergency services to persons in its area of operations who are currently displaced and in serious need of continued assistance as a result of the 1967 and subsequent hostilities. The mandate has also evolved to accommodate the changing needs and political situation of Palestine refugees, including with respect to protection activities.
UNRWA provides humanitarian assistance and contributes to protection of refugees through essential service delivery, primarily in the areas of basic education, primary health care and mental health care, relief and social services, microcredit, and emergency assistance, including in situations of armed conflict, to millions of registered Palestine refugees located within its five fields of operations (Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza).The Agency does not have a mandate to engage in political negotiations or durable solutions.
An UNRWA school-turned-shelter full of refugees was targeted ans sustained major damage. UNRWA staff working there brought comfort to scared victims.?UNRWA/Ashraf Amra
?UNOPS
Office of the Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza
In accordance with Security Council Resolution 2720 (2023), the Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza (SHRC) is responsible for facilitating, coordinating, monitoring and verifying the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza. The Office is also tasked with establishing a UN mechanism dedicated to accelerating the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) supports the Senior Coordinator with the operationalization of the UN Mechanism. The objective is to make the aid delivery process faster, more efficient, and directly beneficial to the civilians in need.
United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process
The Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) is mandated to coordinate UN activities related to the Middle East peace process, support negotiations aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and mobilize international support towards a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace.
UNSCO represents the Secretary-General and leads the UN system in all political and diplomatic efforts related to the peace process, including in the Middle East Quartet. It also coordinates the humanitarian and development work of UN agencies and programmes in the occupied Palestinian territory, in support of the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is deeply committed to peace in the Middle East. The UN works for the creation of an independent State of Palestine living side-by-side in peace with the State of Israel, and a just, lasting and comprehensive resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, in accordance with relevant UN resolutions and international law.
Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, regularly briefs the Security Council. ?UN Photo/Mark Garten
Children learn how to identify and protect themselves from hidden explosives in a UNICEF-supported class. ?UNICEF/UNI807643/Nateel
United Nations entities on the ground
Below are Funds, Programmes, Specialized Agencies, Organizations, other Entities and Bodies of the UN System providing assistance to Gaza.