UNRWA Archives Show Stories of Palestinian Refugees

In Amman, Jordan, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) houses a significant archive of family files that document the history of Palestinian refugees. These records, which include registration cards from the Red Cross, census data from 1950-1951, and various identity documents, are crucial for determining refugee status and access to services. Although the archive is not publicly accessible, Le Monde was granted a rare glimpse into this repository of history. Since its establishment in 1949, UNRWA has utilized these documents to identify refugees across its operational areas, including Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. The archives hold immense historical value, chronicling the Nakba, or "catastrophe," when over 700,000 Palestinians were displaced during the tumultuous period surrounding the creation of Israel in 1948. They also reflect the impact of significant events like the Lebanese civil war, which involved Palestinian fighters. Currently, UNRWA is engaged in a digitization project to preserve these records, with Palestinian temporary workers meticulously scanning and cataloging the documents. Valeria Cetorelli, director of UNRWA's registration and eligibility department, emphasizes the importance of these archives in safeguarding the rights of refugees. The agency aims to create comprehensive family trees for the approximately six million registered Palestinian refugees, although the status does not extend to children of mixed heritage. This ambitious project underscores the ongoing efforts to maintain the historical narrative of Palestinian refugees and their descendants, ensuring that their stories and rights are recognized and preserved.