UNRWA And Palestine Refugees: 70 Years Of Controversial Assistance
- IJLLR Journal
- 2 hours ago
- 1 min read
Irene Maria, Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai
ABSTRACT
This study explores the origins, evolution, and current controversies surrounding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
Established in 1949 following the mass displacement of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab- Israeli War, UNRWA has become a central institution in providing education, healthcare, and relief to over 5 million registered Palestinian refugees across the Middle East.
The research investigates the unique legal and political status of Palestinian refugees under UNRWA's mandate, which differs significantly from the global refugee framework administered by UNHCR. It analyzes the implications of this exceptionality on issues such as legal protection, political identity, and the right of return enshrined in UN Resolution 194.
Through a detailed literature review and case studies, the paper examines UNRWA’s role in shaping refugee identity, its challenges in maintaining neutrality, and its dependency on donor funding. The agency is portrayed as both a humanitarian provider and a political symbol—caught between international obligations and regional political tensions.
The study also addresses proposed reforms, including potential integration with UNHCR, while cautioning against undermining the political and legal rights of Palestinian refugees. Ultimately, the paper concludes that while institutional change may be necessary, any future solution must uphold international legal commitments, protect refugee rights, and contribute to a just and lasting resolution of the Palestinian refugee issue.
