2021 Annual Report
a message from our leaders
A message from Chairman of the Board, Ghassan Salameh and UNRWA USA’s Executive Director, Mara Kronenfeld
who we are
UNRWA USA’s board and staff are some of the most talented and passionate individuals committed to bettering the lives of Palestine refugees.
We welcome you to take some time to get familiar with the faces behind our meaningful work and what drives them both in and outside the office.
2021 updates
1. In April 2021, Biden administration restores its financial support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.
2. In May 2021, Gaza faced another devastating Israeli military assault.
3. In June 2021, a community of indie developers, Itch.io, sold a massive bundle of video games to raise over $750,000 for UNRWA USA’s relief efforts in Gaza.
4. In June 2021, our Virtual Gaza 5K raised $1 million dollars for refugee mental health, making it the most successful 5K event.
5. In September 2021, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini made a special visit to Washington DC.
work by pillars
In 2021, UNRWA USA adopted four technical pillars to guide and prioritize our program funding, with the ultimate goal of deepening our impact in each of these areas:
education
health
protection
emergency response
Framing our work in these competency areas allows us to better measure and articulate our impact. By focusing our efforts, we can make sure we are contributing to programs that are transforming refugee lives through meeting human needs and creating opportunities.
With your generosity, in 2021 we were able to disburse nearly $5 million to UNRWA, our largest annual support to the Agency to date, making us the Agency’s top institutional donor in 2021.
2021 Impact
work by pillars in 2021
Education: Scholarships
Nearly 100 university and post-graduate students benefited from UNRWA scholarship support provided by generous individual donors and key partners like the Canadian Palestinian Professionals Foundation (CPPF).
Growing our base of scholarship funding is a key goal in the coming years, enabling Palestine refugees to achieve their full potential.
Emergency Response: Food Assistance
Your fast action during the May 2021 Israeli military assault on Gaza allowed us to support the delivery of 57,063 full food parcels including flour, rice, chickpeas, lentils, milk, and cooking oil to 11,413 refugee families.
Over half of those served were children under the age of 18. We are also supporting the reconstruction of 17 damaged dwellings partially destroyed during the May 2021 assault. UNRWA uses a self-help approach, providing cash assistance and project management support to those who are rebuilding, so they have control over the process with technical expertise to call upon when needed.
Health: 2021 Virtual Gaza 5K
Funds raised through our 2021 Virtual Gaza 5K created opportunities for over 22,000 Palestine refugees to access mental health services, including individual therapy, group therapy, and public education on core mental health topics, including support for those who have experienced gender-based violence.
Over half of the beneficiaries were women, and care was accessible at UNRWA schools and UNRWA health centers across Gaza.
Protection: Orphans and other populations
Thanks to your generosity, we launched an assessment project in Lebanon to identify ways to make UNRWA services more accessible for people with disabilities.
At the end of the year, we also launched our new orphan support initiative, which continues in 2022, allowing orphaned refugee children and their caretakers to access vital support for food, health, schooling, and clothing.
donor highlights
“I really thank the entire UNRWA USA team for all the hard work and great effort they do to help improve lives.
It is a great honor and privilege to be part of making a difference in the lives of so many Palestinian refugees who have been denied basic opportunities for nearly 75 years.”
hani Shafai
Mary Norton
“My reasons for support of Palestine refugees came from many angles - I met refugees in 1959 in Jerusalem. I see the good UNRWA USA does.
I see the horrible treatment of the Palestinians with no justice forthcoming, I’m furious over the demolitions of homes, I was furious when funds to UNRWA were cut. Gaza is never far from my heart. The determination and resilience of the people inspire me.”
Alanna Linayre
“I appreciated how much of the donations went toward the causes and the people UNRWA USA supports, as opposed to administration or other areas, and I appreciated UNRWA USA’s transparency with their funding and how it is spent.
I also was very interested in choosing a charity that focused on mental health and support, which UNRWA USA emphasizes.”
let’s talk UNRWA
Let’s Talk UNRWA is a monthly speakers series live-streamed on UNRWA USA’s channels and meant to provide our supporters with an insider view of UNRWA’s work. It is also a unique opportunity for them to hear directly from UNRWA staff who are mostly refugees themselves.
"My mother says that knowledge is our capital as refugees. We are stripped of our homes and everything we possess but knowledge is what we can hold on to."
-Abood AbuHashem
In April 2021, Mara Kronenfeld was joined by UNRWA alumni Abood AbuHashem to talk about his journey from an UNRWA student in the Gaza Strip to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: re-watch this inspirational episode.
official partners
The Itzkowich Family
show your solidarity with palestine refugees
Use your passion to support our mission
Create a fundraiser and support us in a way you love. You can host one in your house, club room, place of worship, at your school, or have a bake sale. Every dollar makes a difference.
1.
2.
Contact Congress
Talk to your senator or representative about the importance of UNRWA’s services for Palestine refugees and stability in the region.
3.
Volunteer with us
Throughout the year, we have volunteer opportunities around events like the Gaza 5K. We would love to enlist your help if you are able to. Sometimes volunteers can even help us virtually.
Get involved
Invite us to your community events. With enough notice, a member of our team can be available to participate in your community event and talk about our cause and what we are doing to show Palestine refugees that Americans care.
4.
5.
Follow UNRWA USA on our socials
Some of the best stories and fastest way to get our updates is to get social with us. Your engagement with us helps us grow our audience and expand our footprint to do more for Palestine refugees.
donate
You can use credit cards, Venmo, Google Pay or Apple Pay to support refugees throughout the Middle East.
Your donation is both zakat-eligible and tax-deductible.
6.
No matter how you choose to support refugees, remember that only through your generosity can we help UNRWA better the lives, health, and wellbeing of Palestine refugees.
2021 finances
2021 statement of expenses
program allocation of funds sent to unrwa
thank you
Over the past year, we said a fond farewell to two dear colleagues: Medhini Kumar, former Communications Manager, and Lori Mosher, former Director of Programs and Operations. Both Medhini and Lori helped shape our thinking and strategy as an organization. We miss them very much but know their solidarity with Palestine refugees will always remain. We wish Medhini and Lori best of luck in their new adventures!
We remain immensely grateful to our volunteers for their tireless efforts in support of Palestine refugees. In 2021, they helped get the word out about our Virtual Gaza 5K and called supporters across the United States thanking them for their donations to our end-of-year campaign. They are the beating heart of UNRWA USA and so much of our work would not be possible without them.
A special shout to our graphic designer Andrea Klohn for designing major components of the annual report and our videographer Remon Henes. Thank you for bringing our vision to life!
