PRESS RELEASE
13 July 2008

UNRWA’s Commissioner-General signs four agreements valued at US$ 6 million with the Saudi Committee for the Relief of the Palestinian People

Jeddah, 13 July 2008

UNRWA’s Commissioner-General Karen Koning AbuZayd, is in Jeddah today to sign four agreements valued at US$ 6 million with the Saudi Committee for the Relief of the Palestinian People.

"These generous donations from His Royal Highness Prince Nayef bin AbdulAziz and the Saudi Committee are deeply appreciated, as they will help alleviate the suffering of Palestine refugees in Gaza", the Commissioner-General said.

The Saudi Committee donation includes US$ 5 million in cash and in-kind to assist with food aid, medicines, medical equipment and fuel for Gaza. UNRWA will also receive medicines and medical supplies worth US$ 1 million for Palestine refugees in Lebanon. In the past, the Saudi Committee contributed US$ 1 million to rehabilitate shelters in Gaza and in the West Bank.

The Commissioner-General stressed: "The funds for fuel will be particularly helpful in enabling us to maintain food deliveries and health services and to promote environmental health through ensuring garbage collection". She added that she looked forward to deepening UNRWA’s cooperation with the Saudi Committee, especially in the context of rebuilding Nahr el-Bared Camp in north Lebanon.

UNRWA is a humanitarian and human development Agency providing education, health care, social services, micro-credit and emergency relief to over 4.5 million registered refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic. In Gaza, the Agency provides assistance to over a million people. 80% of the Gaza population depends on food assistance from UNRWA and other international organizations.