Sustainable Development Goals
Poverty eradication and respect for human rights, central pillars of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are at the core of the Agency’s human development, humanitarian and protection work. By investing in the human capital of Palestine refugees, UNRWA actively contributes to the realization of the 2030 Agenda. As the largest direct service provider to Palestine refugees in its areas of operations, the impact of UNRWA is concrete and sustained, with the following Sustainable Development Goals central to our work: SDG 1: No Poverty; SDG 2: Zero Hunger; SDG 3 Good Health and Well-Being; SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 5: Gender Equality; SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities; SDG 13: Climate Action; and SDG17: Partnerships.
UNRWA joins the global effort to promote the SDGs through the “Decade of Action” and, in particular, the work UNRWA has done over the past 70 years in an efforts to deliver on the 2022 promise. To learn more, view our factsheet on “UNRWA and the SDGs”
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The SDGs call for the eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions by 2030. Prior to the onset of COVID-19, the number of people around the world living in extreme poverty dropped by more than half during the preceding 30 years. The Middle East North Africa region stood as the only region to experience rising levels of poverty during this period. In addition, an increase in extreme poverty in the Middle East was observed between 2011 and 2018, rising from 2.4 per cent to 7.21 per cent.2 Poverty remains prevalent amongst Palestine refugees, with those suffering the impacts of conflict (Gaza and Syria), occupation (West Bank, including in East Jerusalem), blockade (Gaza), political crisis and social and economic exclusion (Lebanon) bearing the brunt. Poverty rates are also typically higher inside Palestine refugee camps, where approximately one third of the Palestine refugee population live, than outside. Read more… more |
*Updated as of August 2022
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The right to food is the most basic of human rights. UNRWA safeguards this right through the provision of cash assistance and basic food items to the most vulnerable Palestine refugees who would otherwise be unable to meet their food consumption needs. The Agency also provides emergency cash and food assistance in times of crisis to reduce the suffering of affected families... more
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*Updated as of August 2022
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Universal health coverage means that all people have access to the quality health care they need, when and where they need these services, without financial hardship. At its heart is primary health care, which is about caring for people and helping them improve their health or maintain their well-being, rather than just treating a single disease or condition. COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of both universal health coverage and well-coordinated, multisectoral health responses as effective pandemic mitigation measures... more
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*Updated as of August 2022
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Since it began operations in 1950, UNRWA has educated over two and a half million refugee children under a programme recognised as a significant educational force in the Middle East. Quality education helps young Palestine refugees understand the world in which they live and promotes values of tolerance, cultural identity and gender equality. Through its education system, the Agency aims to ensure that Palestine refugee students develop their full potential and become confident, innovative, questioning, thoughtful and open-minded individuals who uphold human rights, are proud of their Palestinian identity and contribute positively to the development of society and the global community... more |
*Updated as of August 2022
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UNRWA and SDG 5: Gender Equality Advancing gender equality is not only critical for the equal enjoyment of human rights, it is also integral to all dimensions of inclusive and sustainable development. UNRWA’s commitment to the promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment is enshrined in its Gender Equality Policy (2007) and the Gender Equality Strategy 2016-2021. Building on a ‘dual-track’ approach that focusses on changes in both organizational culture and front line service delivery, the Agency has also, since 2009, taken a multi-sectoral approach to ending gender-based violence by: (i) ensuring that survivors have access to a range of preventative and rehabilitative services provided through UNRWA programmes and external service providers; and (ii) engaging community members in prevention and awareness-raising. In addition, the Agency addresses the gendered impact of crises and emergencies, focusing on ensuring the delivery of gender-sensitive programming to those affected... more |
*Updated as of August 2022
UNRWA has embedded gender equality and empowerment across all its human development work since starting operations in 1950.
1960: UNRWA schools reach gender parity, up from 26 per cent in 1951
1962: UNRWA opens the Ramallah women training centre
1991: UNRWA launches its microfinance programme serving women across the middle east
2007 UNRWA adopts policy on gender equality
2009: UNRWA integrates system-wide GBV programme with over 10,000 staff trained
2015: UNRWA launched the building safety project: mainstreaming GBV interventions into emergency preparedness, prevent and response
2016: UNRWA adopts gender equality strategy 2016-2021
2018: UNRWA mainstreams anti-sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment training
2020: UNRWA launches mandatory gender awareness e-course for all staff
2021: UNRWA provides 13,861 microfinances loans to women
2022: UNRWA establishes Women’ Advisory Forum (WAF) to advise the Commissioner-General
GENDER AWARENESS MONTH VIDEOS
This video is part of a series of television spots that address gender roles and advance the conversion of female empowerment.
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HIGHLIGHTS
- UNRWA what we do – Gender: What We Do | UNRWA
- UNRWA Gender Equality Strategy 2016-2021: Integrating Gender, Improving Services, Impacting Lives: Gender Equality Strategy 2016-2021 | UNRWA
- UNRWA Gender Equality Strategy 2016-2021: Annual implementation report (2021): unrwa gender equality strategy 2016-2021: annual implementation report january-december 2020 | UNRWA
- Gender Bulletin 129, August 2021: Gender Bulletin 129 | UNRWA
- On Gender Equality: Palestine refugee women lead the way (March 2022): On Gender Equality: Palestine refugee women lead the way | UNRWA
- Statement by UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini on Occasion of the International Women Day (March 2022): Statement by UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini on Occasion of the International Women Day: Female Staff’s Voices Have the Right to be Heard | UNRWA
- Palestine refugee women learn to protect their families thanks to emergency preparedness training (January 2022): Palestine Refugee Women Learn to Protect their Families Thanks to Emergency Preparedness Training | UNRWA
- International 16-Days Campaign to end gender-based violence (GBV) feature (2021): My story, my voice and my choices: Samira’s tale of success against all odds | UNRWA
- UNRWA what we do – Protection: What We Do | UNRWA
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Palestine refugees face high levels of unemployment. Amongst young people, especially female youth, levels of joblessness are quite alarming. Gaza suffers one of the highest rates of unemployment in the world as a result of the blockade while in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the Israeli occupation and its entrenched system of access and movement restrictions continue to stifle economic growth, limiting Palestinian access to land, markets and livelihood opportunities. In Syria, the continuing conflict has devastated the economy, with dramatic consequences for all, including Palestine refugees... more |
*Updated as of August 2022
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UNRWA and SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions Palestine refugees make up one of the largest and longest-lasting protracted refugee situations in the world today. As of mid-2022, the 5.9 million Palestine refugees registered with UNRWA accounted for almost 21.4 per cent of the world’s total refugee population and around one quarter of protracted refugees in the absence of a just and lasting solution based on international law... more |
*Updated as of August 2022
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UNRWA and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals UNRWA enjoys long-term, strategic partnerships with UNESCO and WHO, for the management of its education and health programmes. These date back to the first years of UN operations in support of Palestine refugees. The combination of UNRWA’s operational footprint and the technical expertise and global leadership of UNESCO and WHO have made a vital contribution to the successful delivery of education and health services to millions of Palestine refugees. These partnerships help to ensure that the SDGs are appropriately embedded in UNRWA’s programmes and have allowed the Agency to make substantive contributions to global public goods... more |
*Updated as of August 2022