Long-term support to UNRWA’s reform

In 2011, UNRWA launched a far reaching reform process set to improve the provision of direct services to Palestine refugees. The plan achieved remarkable successes, but funding shortfalls have partially delayed the process and risk jeopardizing the efficiency gains underway. However, the Agency has showed strong commitment to the reform process, including in the deteriorating regional context.

Reforms enable UNRWA to better implement its development mandate by providing better quality and more efficient services to Palestine refugees

UNRWA itself as an institution, including its 5 Mio beneficiaries and 30,000 employees

• Funding of UNRWA is increased with the implementation of the Resource Mobilization Strategy and allows the organization to fulfill its mandate without cutting basic services nor compromising quality.
• Internal management is strengthened in its decision-making capacity with the rolling-out of a comprehensive e-Health system which utilises computer technologies to support the Health Reform.

Resultados previstos:  

• Additional funds are attracted from new donors (Arab countries, private sector and emerging markets) and UNRWA is able to bridge the 2015 General Fund gap.
• E-Health is expanded to 12 health centers, effectively supporting processes and data collection requirements (e.g.  consultations, assessment of non-communicable diseases, medicines dispensary, etc.) and the 68 centers that have already transitioned will receive technical support in the form of training, monitoring and evaluation and technical assistance

Resultados de las fases anteriores:  

• The Resource Mobilization Strategy (RMS) has been particularly successful in the fundraising with Arab states and private sector (in 2014 alone, pledged contributions from these two sources amounted to over USD 200 Mio).
• The Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system was entirely built. Results in terms of strengthened internal management in finance, procurement and logistics, human resources and payroll will be reported in 2015 as the system will go live. The ERP reform is completed; Switzerland intends to now focus on another area

The 30 members and observers of UNRWA Advisory Commission (donors and host countries). The top-five donors are US, EC, UK, Sweden and Norway.

• The intervention is complementary to the regular un-earmarked General Fund contribution from the Humanitarian credit line and constitutes a follow-up to past contributions to the Resource Mobilization Strategy (2012-2014) from the Regional Cooperation credit line.
• Switzerland seeks and facilitates coordination with like-minded donors and host countries on matters related to the reforms.

Fase 2 01.01.2015 - 31.12.2015   (Completed)