Mandate

Immediately after the Arab-Israeli hostilities of 1948, emergency assistance to Palestine refugees was provided by international organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, League of Red Cross Societies and the American Friends Service Committee. In November 1948, the United Nations established the United Nations Relief for Palestine Refugees (UNRPR) to extend aid and relief to Palestine refugees and coordinate efforts of NGOs and other UN bodies such as the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Refugee Organization. The United Nations established the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) under UN General Assembly Resolution 302 (IV), of 8 December, 1949, as a subsidiary organ of the United Nations. UNRWA's mandate has been renewed every three years since 1949, and is expected to continue to be renewed pending a just settlement of the refugee problem.