Jordan annexes West Bank. UNRWA begins operations on 1 May with relief accounting for 69 per cent of its budget.

UNRWA opens vocational training centres in Kalandia and Gaza.

1956

Israel attacks Egypt, occupying the Gaza Strip.

Last Israeli troops leave Gaza on 7 March.

Political crisis in Lebanon.

UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld recommends continuing UN aid for Palestine refugees.

First mass use of oral rehydration salts pioneered by UNRWA. UNRWA opens teacher training centre for men in Ramallah near Jerusalem, Wadi Seer Vocational Training Centre in Jordan (1960), Damascus Vocational Training Centre in the Syrian Arab Republic (1961), Ramallah Women’s Training Centre and Siblin Training Centre in Lebanon (1962).

UNRWA/UNESCO Institute of Education set up to carry out in-service teacher training.

Registered refugee population surpasses 1.3 million. UNRWA schools accommodate 175,900 pupils and health centres register 4.5 million patient visits during the year.