United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)
Organization·ngo·AI Enriched
Relationships:1
Events:4
Library:3
Confidence:
95%
Key Facts
Type
Organization
Sector
ngo
Industry
Not specified
Status
Draft
Country
Jordan
Headquarters
Amman, Jordan
Founded
12/8/1949
Dissolved
Active
Also Known As
UNRWAUN Relief and Works AgencyUNRWA Agency
Tags
United Nations agencyhumanitarian aidPalestinian refugeescontroversial fundingstaff neutrality allegations
Overall Confidence
95%
Internal Notes
No notes
Key Information
Leadership
Philippe Lazzarini
Commissioner-General
2020 - Present
Antonia De Meo
Deputy Commissioner-General (Operational Support)
- Present
Natalie Boucly
Deputy Commissioner-General
- Present
Positions
Commissioner-General
2020
About
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is a United Nations agency established in 1949 to provide support exclusively to Palestinian refugees, distinct from the UNHCR which serves all other refugees worldwide. As of 2026, Philippe Lazzarini remains Commissioner-General with no successor named. The agency has faced sustained campaigns by groups like CAMERA accusing it of employing anti-Israel teachers and using biased educational materials, as well as severe financial crises due to donor funding suspensions amid allegations of staff-terrorist links. More than 230 UNRWA staff have been killed in Gaza operations.
Key Relationships
Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America (CAMERA)
attacked
CAMERA has waged one of its longest-running and most aggressive campaigns against UNRWA, producing reports accusing the agency of employing teachers who support terrorism, using textbooks that incite violence, and perpetuating the refugee issue. CAMERA's 'UNRWA Reform Initiative' was launched in 2014 and has been featured in Congressional briefings and conservative media. This adversarial campaign is documented in CAMERA's published reports, media coverage of the controversy, and responses from UNRWA officials.
Since 2014
Recent Events
Philippe Lazzarini Begins Term as Commissioner-General
Start of Philippe Lazzarini's term as Commissioner-General of UNRWA
3/19/2020
Philippe Lazzarini Appointed Commissioner-General
Appointment of Philippe Lazzarini as Commissioner-General of UNRWA
3/18/2020
Attacked: Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America (CAMERA) → United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)
CAMERA has waged one of its longest-running and most aggressive campaigns against UNRWA, producing reports accusing the agency of employing teachers who support terrorism, using textbooks that incite violence, and perpetuating the refugee issue. CAMERA's 'UNRWA Reform Initiative' was launched in 2014 and has been featured in Congressional briefings and conservative media. This adversarial campaign is documented in CAMERA's published reports, media coverage of the controversy, and responses from UNRWA officials.
1/1/2014
Founded
Establishment of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)
12/8/1949