Who we are

1948 marked a catastrophic moment in the history of Palestine and the Palestinian people; the moment when thousands of Palestinians were violently displaced. Despite this tragedy, a generation of Palestinian business leaders and academics flourished in the diaspora. However, no matter how successful or settled they became, their hearts remained in their homeland, Palestine.

Driven to keep Palestine alive, in 1983 a group of leading Palestinians met in London to discuss how they could maximise their entrepreneurial, technical, academic and philanthropic resources, to continue to support their homeland and those trapped in refugee camps in neighbouring countries, such as Lebanon. Out of this incredible meeting of minds, came the birth of The Welfare Association (Taawon), a Palestinian non-governmental organisation that is dedicated to promoting the steadfastness of Palestine and Palestinians and improving daily living conditions, services and facilities to do so.

The journey of the Welfare Association (WA), is one of continuous growth and evolution. From its initial establishment in 1983, WA’s founders agreed that they will embrace an integrated development approach focusing on impact and on enabling healthy individuals to reach their maximum potential, and building healthy communities.

Today, WA is Palestine’s largest non-profit organisation with over USD $660 million disbursed over the years. For as long as Palestine remains occupied, the mission of WA is to continue moving forward supported by a team of Palestine’s top talents; a team working to build generations of Palestinians capable of reaching their full potential, in spite of the daily struggles and tragedies they live.

The Welfare Association (WAUK) was registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales in 1993 (Registered charity number No. 1020238), with its administrative Board and offices in London. Yet, still working directly with all the other offices of WA, in Ramallah, East Jerusalem, Gaza, Beirut and Amman, as one international WA team. Working with some of the most marginalised Palestinian families and communities in the West Bank and Gaza and in the refugee camps and gatherings of Lebanon. In the UK our international development and emergency relief projects are funded through the British Government, the British Council, UK charities and trusts, international foundations, the British public and international supporters and through fundraising events and appeals.

What we do and how

Together with local partners we work with the most vulnerable Palestinian communities and families in the West Bank and Gaza and in the refugee camps and gatherings in Lebanon to overcome poverty and improve services, in several ways:

By developing proposals and programmes together with local stakeholders that meet real needs of local communities, e.g. in the health and education sectors