United Nations Relief and Works Agency


United Nations Relief and Works Agency

Also called UNRWA. An organization created by the United Nations in 1948 and charged with providing assistance and humanitarian relief to Palestinians living in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, as well as those living in Palestinian territories. Most of those whom the agency helps were displaced following the Israeli War for Independence in 1948, or are their descendants. UNRWA is the only UN relief agency concentrating in a specific area.