UNRWA USA Refugee Advisory Council

Palestine refugees are the heart and soul of our work

On World Refugee Day (2022) we launched the UNRWA USA Refugee Advisory Council (UURAC) to ensure the voices and lived experiences of Palestine refugees are better centered in every facet of our work.

 
 

Meet the 2022-2025 Council

  • Laila Abudahi

    Gaza Strip
    📍California

    Photo of Laila Abudahi, UNRWA USA Refugee Advisory Council (UURAC) member
  • Ihmayed Ali

    Lebanon
    📍Canada

    Photo of Ihmayed Ali, UNRWA USA Refugee Advisory Council (UURAC) member
  • Ahmed Arafat

    Gaza Strip
    📍Pennsylvania

    Photo of Ahmed Arafat, UNRWA USA Refugee Advisory Council (UURAC) member
  • Rania Qawasma

    West Bank
    📍Pennsylvania

    Photo of Rania Qawasma, UNRWA USA Refugee Advisory Council (UURAC) member
  • Raed M. Sharif

    Gaza Strip
    📍Canada

    Photo of Raed Sharif, UNRWA USA Refugee Advisory Council (UURAC) member

What’s the Refugee Advisory Council?

  • The UNRWA USA Refugee Advisory Council (UURAC) provides an opportunity for Palestine refugees across North America to share their stories and offer their insight to UNRWA USA staff, board members, and others in support of the larger missions of UNRWA USA (our nonprofit) and UNRWA (the UN Agency). 

  • The council consists of six (6) members who’ve benefited from UNRWA programs to influence stakeholders, provide positive leadership and service, and engage the North American community.

  • UURAC meets quarterly online and sometimes in person.

For more detailed information on council member benefits and duties, please see the UNRWA USA Refugee Advisory Council guide.

How to get on the council:

The inaugural council (2022-2024) consists of six (6) members. All members are UNRWA alum, meaning folks who have benefited from UNRWA programs or services in some way. Ideally, all five fields of UNRWA's operations are represented through this council.

Council members are appointed for a two-year voluntary term.

These members are selected by a committee based on the materials submitted.

UNRWA alumni stories