2022 annual report
a message from our leaders
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.
2022 updates
1. The start of the War on Ukraine exacerbated concerns as global food prices surged.
2. The year 2022 witnessed a decline in fundraising efforts, reflecting a challenging period.
3. In August 2022, Gaza faced another Israeli military assault that killed 49 Palestinians including 17 children.
5. UNRWA USA welcomed new staff and a board member to help further serve our mission.
6. UNRWA USA events return to in-person, many staff members visit the field for the first time.
9. In 2022, the United States provided additional funding to UNRWA to support its vital humanitarian efforts in its five fields of operation.
4. Solidarity with Palestine surged during the World Cup, as the media captured a notable wave of global support for the plight of Palestine.
7. New partnerships with the tech sector on the West Coast to further expand UNRWA USA’s support base, as the ‘Digital Futures’ initiative begins to take off.
8. New collaborations with celebrities, chefs, influencers, and leaders of the community.
work by pillars
In 2022, UNRWA USA advanced in our four technical pillars: education and training, health, protection, and emergency response. Our pillars guide and prioritize our funding, with the ultimate goal of deepening our impact in each of these areas. As always, we make sure we’re contributing to programs that are transforming refugee lives by meeting human needs while creating opportunities.
With your generosity, in 2022 we were able to disburse over $3.8 million to UNRWA.
2022 impact
work by pillars in 2022
Education: water in schools
With over 75% of piped water undrinkable, for some students, school is their only chance to access fresh water. Several UNRWA schools lack reliable clean water, leading to mental health stressors and learning disruption, so UNRWA USA and our partners provided clean drinking water to nearly 14,000 students across seven UNRWA schools in the Gaza Strip. Each school received a state-of-the-art solar-powered desalination unit, which removes salt from the municipal water source and produces fresh water for students and teachers alike. These units produce an average of 10,000 liters of clean water per day, and being solar powered offer protection from the frequent power cuts faced in the Gaza Strip.
Emergency Response: lebanon
As the political and economic conditions faced by Palestine refugees in Lebanon continue to deteriorate, UNRWA USA provided a month of emergency cash assistance for 4,800 people. Over a third of Palestine refugees in Lebanon – including a substantial number displaced from Syria – are in need of this assistance to meet their basic needs, as they are legally prevented from working in over 30 occupations. Facing rising food costs, rampant inflation of the local currency, political instability, and now the after effects of the earthquake in Turkey/Syria, UNRWA USA is striving to do more for this population in 2023.
Health: gaza 5ks
UNRWA USA was delighted to return to in-person Gaza 5K walk/runs in New York City and the Bay Area in 2022, and our supporters showed up in force!
With over half a million dollars raised for children’s mental healthcare in Gaza, we were able to provide mental health support to over 5,000 people, including essential public education programs conducted by UNRWA counselors to help parents and teachers learn more about the effects of living through ongoing trauma and how adults can support the positive psychosocial development of young people. We’re grateful to all our participants, host committee members, and sponsors who make this work possible.
Protection: orphan support
In 2022, UNRWA USA was able to build upon the orphan support work we began in 2021, ensuring that 615 orphaned children and their caregivers received UNRWA cash assistance for life essentials.
An additional 34 households received support for furnishings necessary to accommodate an orphan in their care and 469 people took part in community engagement sessions to learn more about supporting orphans.
donor highlights
Samar Hussein-Langhorne
“ UNRWA has always been in the background of our lives, my father was a Palestinian refugee growing up and his family benefited from their services. I'm a donor because I believe in the mission of UNRWA USA and I've seen the results of their work and I admire it. It makes me feel like I'm giving back. Things would have certainly been much harder for us Palestinians were it not for UNRWA. UNRWA has the resources and the manpower to be able to move quickly to help when needed, and are well established in long term programs that offer support.”
Emad Tabari
“I support UNRWA USA because like many Palestinian refugees, my path to help hundreds of patients around the world, to bring my father pride, just needed one scholarship. Let's celebrate the future of Palestine by investing in its brightest stars. Let's ensure that no refugee child's academic journey ends prematurely due to financial constraints.”
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. Hear 1 minute snippets from each of our 2022 episodes.
episode 17: Refugee mental health (LIVE from Gaza)
An update from the Gaza Strip about the mental health of Palestine refugees.
episode 20: Refugee Health in Gaza
A conversation with Dr. Ghada Al-Jadba, Chief of UNRWA’s Health Program in the Gaza Strip.
episode 23: preserving heritage Palestine Refugee Tatreez
Sulafa is part of UNRWA’s Social Service Program that aims to provide income for refugee women in Gaza and to ensure that the traditional art form of embroidery is kept alive.
episode 26: International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
November 29 is the International Day of Solidarity (IDOS) with the Palestinian People. We're dedicating this IDOS to educating Americans about Palestine refugees living in Lebanon.
episode 18: world water day (live from Gaza)
Update about the water crisis in Gaza.
episode 21: Gaza Field Update
A conversation with Thomas White, Director of UNRWA Affairs in Gaza who gives us a broad overview of UNRWA's challenges in the Gaza Strip.
episode 24: Supporting Tech Careers in Gaza
How does UNRWA provide opportunities for Gaza's IT graduates living under blockade?
episode 27: Gaza 2022 Year in Review
Learn about the challenges of delivering humanitarian services to refugees amidst the blockade on Gaza, frequent military assaults, and chronic funding shortfalls.
episode 19: UNRWA HQ Update
A conversation with UNRWA’s Deputy Commissioner General.
episode 22: Refugee Education
Hear the personal story of Sami Abu Zuhair, a refugee himself, and learn more about directly sponsoring the education of a Palestine refugee student.
episode 25: On-the-ground update from the occupied West Bank
Meet the new Director of UNRWA Affairs in the West Bank, and hear about the situation facing Palestine refugees on the ground in the occupied West Bank (including East Jerusalem).
The Itzkowich Family
official partners
calls to action
2. Start your own scholarship program
Invite UNRWA USA to your community events. With ample notice, a team rep can join and actively engage in your community event, discussing our mission and the efforts underway to demonstrate American concern for Palestine refugees.
Engage with us
By establishing a scholarship, you create a pathway for aspiring refugees to achieve their goals and dreams, thereby leaving a lasting legacy of empowerment and economic opportunities.
Learn more here
Arrange a fundraiser that resonates with your interests while aiding our mission. Whether it's an intimate gathering in your home, a gathering in your club's space with friends, an event at your place of worship, or even a bake sale, every single dollar contributes significantly.
Learn how to Gather for Gaza here
3. Host a fundraiser/friendraiser
4. Include UNRWA USA in your estate planning
By remembering UNRWA USA in your legacy (will, living trust, or charitable bequest) today, you can ensure that UNRWA will be there for future generations of Palestine refugees until no longer needed. You can designate a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, property, or item.
Start your legacy
show your solidarity with Palestine refugees
2022 finances
2022 statement of expenses
program allocation of funds sent to unrwa
thank yous
In 2022, we bid a warm goodbye to two valued colleagues and friends: Venu Thirumala, our former Development Officer, and Harley Dority, our former Community Engagement Manager.
Venu’s presence brought an incredible sense of joy to our workspace at UNRWA USA, infusing each task with his infectious enthusiasm. Beyond that, Venu embodies dedication. His passionate commitment to our mission and cause remains unwavering, and his genuine care touches everyone around him. He always remained human, unafraid to share his vulnerability, especially over a cup of Wawa java.
Harley is an authentic, brilliant, self-starter, with a top-notch work ethic. Deeply dedicated to our mission both inside and outside of the office, Harley always looked for ways to grow personally and professionally. Harley's organizational prowess shined in her flawless coordination of our signature Gaza 5K walk/runs across the country, as well as in managing our advocacy, volunteer, and UNRWA alumni programs. She defines UNRWA USA’s cultural values and remains a dear friend and forever advocate.
A special shout to our chefs Maha Kailani, Johnny Dubbaneh, Izzeldin Bukhari, Marcelle Afram, Mai Kakish, Suzzane Husseini, Inam & Marah, Nadia Tommalieh and Dena Qaddura for participating in our virtual cooking shows and sharing their wonderful recipes with our donors. Another shout out to our star and longtime supporter Mo Amer for going live with us after the release of his show and sharing his refugee story with our audiences. A heartfelt appreciation to Suzzane Husseini for being our first UNRWA USA Storyteller ‘Hakawati’ and sharing her warm stories with us. We are also grateful to our partners on the West Coast, TechWadi, Rhonda Jarrar, and Zeena Ojjeh. To our volunteers, our Gaza 5Ks will never operate without your help and dedication. And finally a huge shout out to our graphic designer Andrea Klohn and our videographer Remon Henes of Dot Lemon Productions for designing major components of the annual report. Thank you for bringing our vision to life!
