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 2022-2024 Council
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Laila Abudahi
Gaza Strip
📍California
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Ihmayed Ali
Lebanon
📍Canada
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Ahmed Arafat
Gaza Strip
📍Pennsylvania
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Rania Qawasma
West Bank
📍Pennsylvania
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Raed M. Sharif
Gaza Strip
📍Canada
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Hourie Tafech
Lebanon
📍Virginia
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
Fadi Kiblawi is a lawyer based in Tokyo, Japan, and son of Nada Kiblawi. Nada is a Palestine refugee, a founding member of the UNRWA Alumni of North America, and a successful businesswoman. He is a contributing guest writer to the Voices of UNRWA blog, where he pays tribute to his mother and all Palestine refugee mothers in honor of Mother’s Day.