at 70
introduction On 8 December 2019, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) will be seventy years old. Following the Arab-Israeli conflict of 1948, UNRWA was established by the United Nations General Assembly to carry out direct relief and works programmes for Palestine refugees. Today, some 5.5 million Palestine refugees in the Agency’s five fields of operations – Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem – are eligible for the Agency’s services. Over the past seven decades, Palestine refugees have experienced extremes in violence, suffering and injustice. As a result, they are presently confronted with daunting human development and protection challenges, which stand to arrest their significant potential. Humanitarian conditions across much of the UNRWA areas of operation are grave, exacerbated by protracted conflict and the lack of political progress. While the 70th Anniversary of UNRWA provides an occasion for sober reflection on Palestinian exile, it also affords a moment to consider the contribution that the Agency’s programmes have made to the lives of generations of Palestine refugees.
Through primary education and health care, social safety-net interventions, the building and maintenance of homes and infrastructure, microfinance and protection services, and humanitarian assistance in times of emergency, UNRWA continues to be a positive force in the lives of Palestinians. On this solemn occasion, UNRWA is proud to share a photographic review of the displacement, dispossession and hope of Palestine refugees, drawn from the magnificent and extensive historic UNRWA Film and Photo Archive (inscribed by UNESCO in the Memory of the World Register in 2009) and showcasing UNRWA service delivery and the daily lives and historic moments of Palestine refugees throughout the decades. It includes iconic images of their catastrophic displacement in 1948, the establishment of camps in the 1950s, the second flight during the 1967 war, the war in Lebanon, and the unrest from the second half of the 1980s to the early twenty-first century. But the unfolding narrative also shows the extraordinary accomplishments by UNRWA and by Palestinians for Palestinians; past milestones of achievement and success, towards a horizon of validation and hope, however distant that may seem today.
lebanon
war of 1973
june 1967 hostilities
plo est.
suez crisis
unrwa opens ktc
unrwa begins operations
historical milestones
al nakba
a timeline of displacement, disp
lebanese civil w occupation 50 years
770,000 palestine refugees are displaced to surrounding countries (original displacement)
unrwa pioneers the use of najjar salts to combat dehydration
impact
unrwa opens vocational training centres in kalandia, west bank unrwa opens and gaza the ramallah teacher training centre, west bank and wadi seer vocational training centre, jordan
unrwa opens first unesco sponsored training centre in 1964
unrwa opens the siblin vocational training centre, lebanon
as of 1967, the number of registered refugees is 1.3 million, with 175,000 students, & 4.5 million patients treated annually
unrwa opens the damascus training centre, syria unrwa opens the ramallah women training centre 1st of its kind in the region
1978 1980
1976
1974
1968 1970 1972
1964 1966
1960
1958
1962
occupation of gaza & west bank, including east jerusalem 300,000 people flee, including 120,000 palestine refugees (2nd displacement)
israel enters gaza
unrwa begins operations in 1950. 69% of budget allocated to immediate relief
action
1954 1956
1950 1952
1948
dispossession 70 years
sabra shatila massa israeli air raids on southern lebanon. 80% of unrwa shelters in nabatiyeh alone, home to 30,000 palestine refugees, are hit.
israel launches miltary operations in southern lebanon displacing, 67,000 palestine refugees unrwa launch massi emerg servic lebano
unrwa undertakes large emergency operations
yarmouk gaza return march begins
gaza III
gaza II
unrwa turns 70
operation summer rains nahr el bared camp destroyed gaza conflict I
second intifada operation defensive shield israel disengages from gaza
gulf war
camp wars lebanon
israel invades lebanon
first intifada
spossession and hope
syria conflict
gaza blockade
barrier 2nd intifada
1st intifada
a and a acre lebanon camp wars 18,000 palestine refugees displaced
declaration of the state of palestine in algiers
al ibrahimi mosque massacre, hebron
gulf war 300,000 palestinians july 1, 1994 leave the gulf yasser arafat enters gaza madrid peace conference peace accords between plo and israel signed
flattening of jenin camp leaving some 150 buildings destroyed and renders around 435 families homeless israel full ground assault on gaza israel imposes a full land blockade on gaza un reports more than 1,387 palestinians killed including 320 minors
a hes ive gency ces in on unrwa launches its emergency refugee affairs officer programme
unrwa introduces emergency measures for lebanon and the opt (emlot)
israel launches a large-scale military operation in gaza in december, 2008
syria conflict erupts
2018 2019
2015
unrwa begins 2018 with a budget deficit, launches #dignityispriceless campaign
27 per cent palestine escalating violence in refugees and yarmouk causes some 170 thousands of communities palestine refugees in the west to be displaced bank (3rd displacement) are directly fighters leave affected yarmouk in may 2018 by the barrier 900 palestinians one year since the injured and 174 start of the great palestinians killed during the second march of return gaza conflict protests
unrwa launches its operations support officer programme and unrwa peace unrwa provides real implementation time support and supplies programme (pip) documenation of these families with is launched protection assistance following the concerns and absorbs principles students into agreement signed by the unrwa plo and israel schools unrwa opens its first nursing college in gaza unrwa in 1994 launches its unrwa successful headquarters microfinance move from programme, vienna to gaza eventually offering first unrwa some environmental US$ 0.5 health programme billion in begins loans to small unrwa business commorates its 45th owners, anniversary 3.2 million women and number of the youth registered refugees
2014
2012
2010
2008
2002 2004 2006
2000
1995 1996 1998
1994
1992
1990
1988
1986
1982 1984
war
un reports 2,251 palestinians killed including 551 minors unrwa provides emergency shelter and services in gaza
unrwa commemorates its 60th anniversary
unrwa launches the protection division and streamlines child protection, gender mainstreaming and disability programming inaugural unrwa school parliament in gaza unrwa appoints mohammed assaf as its youth ambassador
General view of the Assembly chamber during the 128th meeting of the Second Session of the United Nations General Assembly, at which the partition of Palestine into Jewish and Arab states was approved by 33 votes to 13, with 10 abstentions and one absent.
Palestine refugee girls push their belongings in prams and carts as they flee Jaffa in the wake of the first Arab-Israeli war in 1948. Š 1948 UN Archives Photographer Unknown
A Palestine refugee woman cut off from her home by the 1949 Armistice Line (Green Line), which was established after the first Arab-Israeli war in 1948. Š Undated UN Archives Photographer Unknown
A man and his daughter collect rations at a distribution point in Aqaba, Jordan. In the 1950s, UNRWA lorries distributed rations every two months to the refugees living in and around Aqaba as there are no refugee camps in Aqaba. Š Undated UNRWA Archive Photographer Unknown
School boys line up at the first school in Jalazone camp, West Bank. Š 1950 UNRWA Archive Photographer Unknown
Immunization administered by an UNRWA school health team in Marka emergency camp, Jordan. Š 1972 UNRWA Archive Photo by George Nehmeh
Young trainees at work in the Building Construction Craftsmanship course at the Kalandia Vocational Training Centre, West Bank. Š Undated UNRWA Archive Photographer Unknown
An instructor inspects the work of a trainee in the Radio and TV Mechanics course in Kalandia’s Vocational Training Centre, provided and operated by UNRWA. Š Undated UNRWA Archive Photographer Unknown
When this picture was taken at Khan Younis in 1955, the tented refugee camp in the Gaza Strip had just been replaced by cement block houses. These youngsters were happy to have more weatherproof shelter against the summer sun and winter rains. Š 1955 UNRWA Archive Photo by J. Madvo
Once every three months, UNRWA lorry convoys go on a trek and maintain contact with Palestine refugees living in the inaccessible mountainous regions of South Jordan. They distribute rations and then continue on their arduous path. Š Undated UNRWA Archive Photographer Unknown
An UNRWA nurse holds a packet of oral rehydration salts used to treat children suffering from excess weight loss caused by malnutrition or diarrhea. This simple but effective treatment has saved the lives of thousand of Palestine refugee children. Š 1982 UNRWA Archive Photo by George Nehmeh
Aerial view of Dheisheh camp, established in 1949 and located along the main street in Bethlehem, it lies on an open hillside to the south, within sight of the Church of Nativity. Š 1959 UNRWA Archive Photographer Unknown
After the ninth year of living in tents, since their exodus in 1948, the 1050 refugees of Aida camp were summoned to the distribution centre, where they usually go to collect their monthly rations, instead, they were given the keys to their new concrete block shelter. Š 1959 UNRWA Archive Photographer Unknown
Overview of the UNRWA Wadi Seer Vocational Training Centre in Amman, Jordan. © Undated UNRWA Photographer Unknown
An instructor supervises a trainee in the Telecommunications course at the Siblin Vocational Training Centre, Lebanon. Š Undated UNRWA Archive Photographer Unknown
Palestine refugee children receive immunization shots at an UNRWA maternal and child health clinic in Gaza. Š 1961 UNRWA Archive Photographer Unknown
Women’s Training Centre in Ramallah, West Bank. Š Undated UNRWA Archive Photographer Unknown
An instructor supervises the welding course at the Damascus Vocational Training Centre in Syria, provided and operated by UNRWA. Š Undated UNRWA Archive Photographer Unknown
Students stand outside the Men’s Teacher Training Centre in Ramallah, West Bank. Š Undated UNRWA Archive Photographer Unknown
Students line up outside the last UNRWA tented school in Lebanon, Mar Elias camp. Š 1966 UNRWA Archive Photo by Jack Madvo
The Beirut Polyclinic serves some 47,500 registered Palestine refugees living outside of refugee camps in the Lebanese capital of Beirut (1966). Š 1966 UNRWA Archive Photographer Unknown
Palestine refugees flee across the Allenby Bridge during the second Arab-Israeli hostilities in 1967. Š 1967 UNRWA Archive Photographer Unknown
Thanks to a contribution from Near East Emergency Donations (need), 250 tworoom prefabricated units will soon replace these tents in which 15,000 Palestine refugees have been living in Marka refugee camp, Jordan. Š 1968 UNRWA Archive Photographer Unknown
Overview of Baqa’a emergency camp, 5000 shelters in this camp have been constructed with funds provided by the government of the Federal Republic of Germany. Š 1969 UNRWA Archive Photo by George Nehmeh
The Beirut Polyclinic serves some 47,500 registered Palestine refugees living outside of refugee camps in the Lebanese capital of Beirut (1966). Š 1966 UNRWA Archive Photographer Unknown
Bread is distributed to refugees in Amman New camp, East Jordan, after the figh in September 1970. Š 1970 UNRWA Archive Photographer Unknown
Palestine refugees collect their monthly food rations at a distribution point in the ancient city of Karak, Jordan. Š 1971 UNRWA Archive Photographer Unknown
To ensure that Palestine refugee children up to 6 years of age have a nutritionally-balanced diet, UNRWA provides a mid-day meal, six days a week, at its 94 feeding centers. These children are devouring their lunch at an UNRWA supplementary feeding centre in Jalazone camp, West Bank. Š 1972 UNRWA Archive Photo by Kay Brennan
A nurse plays with a baby that is being treated at the UNRWA health centre in Jerusalem, West Bank. Š 1973 UNRWA Archive Photographer Unknown
The aftermath of the Israeli air raid on Nabatieh camp for Palestine refugees on May 16 1974, south Lebanon. 60 per cent of the shelters entirely destroyed and 20 per cent partially damaged. The temporary UNRWA clinic, feeding centre, ration distribution centre, camp services office and 20 public latrines were also demolished. Š 1974 UNRWA Archive Photo by F. Samia
A standard UNRWA food parcel for displaced Palestine refugees in Lebanon. Š 1975 UNRWA Archive Photographer Unknown
Following the 52-day siege of Tel Za’atar, during the summer of 1976, this Palestine refugee camp in Beirut, Lebanon, was completely razed to the ground. Š 1979 UNRWA Archive Photographer Unknown
A destroyed UNRWA/UNESCO preparatory school in Burj Hammoud, a suburb of Beirut Lebanon. This school had an enrollment of 700 pupils prior to the outbreak of civil war. Š 1977 UNRWA Archive Photo by Myrtle Winter Chaumeny
A direct hit destroyed this Palestine refugee woman’s home at Rashidieh camp near Tyre, south Lebanon, during Israeli military action in 1978. Š 1978 UNRWA Archive Photographer Unknown
A Palestine refugee girl looks through a destroyed house, Lebanon. Š Undated UNRWA Archive Photographer Unknown
A child receives audio-phonetic rehabilitation at the Ephpheta Paul VI Institute for Palestinian deaf children in Bethlehem, West Bank. Š 1980 UNRWA Archive Photo by George Nehmeh
Medical staff carry a dead body in Shatila camp, Beirut, Lebanon, on 20 September 1982. Several hundred Palestine refugees and other civilians were massacred in the Sabra and Shatila districts of south Beirut between 16 and 18 September. Š 1982 UNRWA Archive Photographer Unknown
The Israeli invasion of Lebanon in the summer of 1982 caused widespread destruction to Palestine refugee camps and resulted in thousands of homeless Palestine refugees. UNRWA introduced a self-help shelter repair programme which offers building materials or cash grants for refugees to repair their own shelters. Š 1982 UNRWA Archive Photo by George Nehmeh
An UNRWA social worker visits an elderly Palestine refugee couple living in Baqa’a camp, Jordan. Š 1986 UNRWA Archive Photo by Munir Nasir
Two boys sit on a school desk above the ruins of the Galilee Preparatory Boys school in Shatila camp, Beirut, Lebanon. Š 1985 UNRWA Archive Photo by H. Haider
This Palestine refugee woman fled Burj Barajneh camp with her son when the fighting broke out in 1986; she returns to the news that a close relative has been killed. Š 1986 UNRWA Archive Photo by H. Haider
At this UNRWA health centre in Kalandia camp, children are routinely immunized against tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, poliomyelitis and measles. Š 1988 UNRWA Archive Photo by George Nehmeh
Street scene in the Gaza Strip during the first intifada. Š 1988 UNRWA Archive Photo by George Nehmeh
UNRWA and other organizations have joined the refugee communities in Jordan to help he mentally and physically disabled children among Palestine refugees by offering a basic education program in day centre. By early 1988, four day centre had been opened in refugee camps in Jordan such as this one in Souf camp. Š1988 UNRWA Photo By Munir Naser
Shatila camp was besieged by Israeli forces in 1982 and then by local militias between 1985 to 1988, resulting in the camp’s destruction. When hostilities subsided in 1988, hundred of Shatila residents were killed or wounded and many others left the camp for safety, while those that stayed began rebuilding their homes. Local groups provided building materials and UNRWA gave cash grants for housing repairs. Š 1989 UNRWA Archive Photo by Munir Nasir
The number of Palestine refugee children enrolled UNRWA schools rose from 43,000 in 1950 to 360,000 in 1990 owing to the great desire of refugees for education and natural population growth. Today, education is the Agency’s largest program taking more than half the UNRWA budget. Š 1990 UNRWA Archive Photo by Munir Nasir
An UNRWA medical officer examines the teeth of Palestinian students at an UNRWA school in Arroub camp, West Bank. Regular medical check-ups are part of UNRWA’s preventive healthcare services to all Palestine refugee pupils. Š 1992 UNRWA Archive Photo by Munir Nasir
Dallal Hafid, a Palestine refugee woman, turned her sewing skills into a successful business venture after receiving a low-interest loan from the UNRWA income-generation programme. Š 1993 UNRWA Archive Photo by Munir Nasir
Palestinians in their shelter in Bureij refugee camp, watch the historic singing of the Peace Accord in Cairo on May 4 1994. Š 1994 UNRWA Archive Photo by Munir Nasir
A Palestine refugee woman in one of the UNRWA solidarity group lending teams receives her check, a low-interest loan, enabling her to establish her project and provide for her family. Š 1994 UNRWA Archive Photo by Munir Nasir
An environmental health project designed to improve sewerage and drainage in refugee camps in the Gaza Strip. Š 1995 UNRWA Archive Photo by Munir Nasir
A scene from the School of Nursing and Allied Health Services being constructed in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip, with funds donated by the Saudi Fund for Development,1996. Š 1996 UNRWA Archive Photo by Munir Nasir
Mathematics lesson in an overcrowded classroom at an UNRWA school in Yarmouk camp, Syria. Š 1997 UNRWA Archive Photo by Munir Nasr
An UNRWA employee weighs flour rations at the UNRWA Distribution Centre in Jabalia camp, Gaza Strip. © 1998 UNRWA Archive Photo by Adnan Abu Hasna
UNRWA sanitation workers from the special environmental health program collect solid waste in Maghazi Camp. Š 1999 UNRWA Archive Photo by Adnan Abu Hasna
A Palestine refugee student photographed at an UNRWA vocational training centre in the West Bank. Š Undated UNRWA Archive Photographer Unknown
Women weep at the destruction of Khan Younis camp in Gaza during the second intifada. Š 2001 UNRWA Archive Photographer Unknown
A man carries his plastic plant after Israeli bulldozers destroyed his home in Jenin camp, West Bank. Š 2002 UNRWA Archive Photo by Mia Grondahl
View of the Barrier at Qalqilya, West Bank. © 2003 UNRWA Archive Photo by J.C. Tordai
Access issues during olive harvest season in Biddu, West Bank. Š 2009 UNRWA Photo by John Tordai
Women in a sewing workshop supported by the UNRWA microfinance programme, West Bank. Š 2005 UNRWA Archive Photo by Steve Sabella
A boy stands in front of the West Bank Barrier. Š 2006 UNRWA Photo by J.C. Tordai
The devastated Nahr el-Bared camp, Lebanon. Š 2007 UN Photo Photographer Unknown
At Beach Boys Elementary School A, Anas Abu Hamam, fourth grade, was diagnosed with a sight deficiency. He has just received his eyeglasses. Š 2008 UNRWA Photo by Shareef Sarhan
Amnesty International is investigating the Israeli Army’s alleged use of White Phosphorous munitions in populated areas during its 22-day blitz on the Gaza Strip. Š 2009 UNRWA Photo by Mohammed Abed
Salhiyeh, Balad Sheikh school 2010. © 2010 UNRWA photo by Isabel de la Cruz
Summer games on the beach in Gaza. © 2011 UNRWA Photo by Shareef Sarhan
Children on their way to school in Gaza. © 2012 UNRWA Photo by Shareef Sarhan
Emergency education in Jaramana camp, Syria. © 2013 UNRWA Photo by Carole Alfarah
UNRWA Goodwill Ambassador Mohammed Assaf in a classroom in the Am’ari Girls School, West Bank. © 2013 UNRWA Photo by Alaa Ghosheh
People seek shelter at an UNRWA school in Gaza. © 2014 UNRWA Photo by Shareef Sarhan
In January 2014, when UNRWA was able to complete its first humanitarian distribution in Yarmouk after almost six months of siege, it was met by thousands of desperate refugees on the destroyed main street. Š 2014 UNRWA Photographer Unknown
UNRWA today launches a global Ramadan campaign to support the children of Gaza. #SOS4Gaza features seven children putting messages expressing their hopes and dreams in bottles, which they send to sea. Š 2015 UNRWA Photo by Renaud Rodier
UNRWA Protection Social Workers (PSW) Salwa Jwalis and Safa Sawwaf visit Mohammed Ibrahim Mohammed Jahalin in the Bedouin community of Abu Falaf / Kurshan. His structures got demolished on October 9 2016 under the authority of the Jerusalem municipality because he did not have a permit to build. During these visits, the PSW’s check up on the family’s needs and welfare and offer different forms of assistance. © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Dirk-Jan Visser
#myvoicemyschool is a student voice project which gives young people a say in their education and future. Palestine refugee teenagers from Syria living in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, and their peers in three British schools will take part in a pilot project supporting them to explore how education can be improved to meet their aspirations. Š 2014 UNRWA Photo by Shareef Sarhan
UNRWA launches its Dignity Is Priceless Campaign to raise funds after an unprecedented cut to funding to the Agency by the United States. Š 2018 UNRWA Photo
Protesters in Gaza at the Great March of Return. Š 2018 UNRWA Photo
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