UNRWA and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Partnerships are at the heart of the 2030 agenda as the global goals can only be achieved with a strong commitment to partnership and cooperation. 

Partnerships are also an important component of the UNRWA approach to meeting the humanitarian and human development needs of Palestine refugees.   

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.  

UNRWA also partners with a number of other UN agencies, including UNFPA, UNICEF, ILO, OHCHR and UNHCR, to support Palestine refugee access to quality services, as well as the Red Cross / Red Crescent movement and local and international NGOs, including the Norwegian Refugee Council, Humanity and Inclusion and Save the Children, amongst others.