United Nations Relief and Works Agency news stories on Newser

UN: Hamas Seized Food, Blankets

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:45:22 CST

Hamas police in Gaza seized thousands of blankets and food parcels meant for needy residents, the AP reports, threatening to fracture relations between the international agency that cares for most of Gaza's residents and the territory's militant rulers. A UN spokesman called the incident "absolutely unacceptable."

Gaza Faces Years of Reconstruction

Jason Farago — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 08:34:12 CST

Now that the guns have fallen silent in Gaza, the Palestinian enclave faces what might be the most difficult reconstruction project in recent history, writes Patrick Cockburn in the Independent . Rebuilding in the densely populated zone will face two major obstacles: the economic blockade by Israel and Egypt, and the...

Israel Shells UN Headquarters

Kevin Spak — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 06:51:22 CST

Israeli shells set fire to the UN’s relief agency headquarters and a hospital today, as Israeli tanks pushed deep into Gaza City, the BBC reports. Some 700 people were inside the compound, along with large amounts of fuel and aid supplies; at least three UN employees were injured. Secretary-General Ban...

Gaza Camps Offer Arts and Crafts, Not AK-47s

Nick McMaster — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:58:01 CDT

The UN’s Relief and Works Agency is combating extremism in the Gaza Strip with some unconventional weapons: hula hoops, finger-painting, and sports, the Christian Science Monitor reports. The agency runs summer programs in 350 locations for Gaza’s youth in an attempt to counteract Hamas’ militant equivalent, where young Palestinians learn...

Aid Worker Murders Cripple Somali Relief

Kate Rockwood — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 11:21:22 CDT

Aid workers are fleeing Somalia, even as global food prices soar and a full-blown famine is feared, in response to what officials say is an organized campaign of violence. Messages posted in the capital and sent to aid organizations threaten: “We know all the so-called aid workers. We promise to...

US Set to Deliver $150M in Aid to Palestinians

Zach Samalin — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 18:47:53 CDT

The US promised today to transfer $150 million in aid to the economically ailing Palestinian Authority, marking the first installment of $550 million the US pledged at a donors' conference in December, Reuters reports. The contribution will be the largest single donation since the Authority was launched in 1994, Prime...