USD 2.5 million from Sweden to support cash assistance programme for displaced non-refugees in Gaza through UNDP
Dec 7, 2015
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Ann-Sofie Nilsson, Swedish Consul General in Jerusalem, and Roberto Valent, UNDP Special Representative, following the signing of the agreement |
East Jerusalem, 03 December 2015 – As part of their on-going support to recovery efforts in the Gaza Strip, the Government of Sweden and UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People signed a USD 2.5 million (SEK22,135,000) contribution agreement to fund cash assistance packages for displaced non-refugee Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
“The needs for adequate shelter in Gaza are still very high and Sweden is pleased to continue to support the most vulnerable families,” said Ms Ann-Sofie Nilsson, Swedish Consul General in Jerusalem.
The additional resources will bring the total Swedish contribution to the UNDP cash assistance programme to atleast USD 9.4 million, benefiting over 4,149 non-refugee households in the Gaza Strip.
The programme targets Palestinian non-refugee families whose homes have been damaged and destroyed during the 2014 conflict in the Gaza Strip. Taking into consideration family size and current socio-economic status, the programme will prioritize female-headed households and provide them with cash assistance to address their accommodation needs.
“One year after the 2014 hostilities, displaced families in Gaza are still facing harsh living conditions, especially during this winter season. Many are still accommodated with host families, rented apartments, tents or even the rubble of their previous homes,” said Roberto Valent, UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator. “With Sweden’s generous contribution, the cash assistance programme is empowering displaced and vulnerable non-refugee families to rebuild their lives,” he added.
The programme complements UNDP’s recovery efforts in the Gaza Strip to help the Palestinian population restore their livelihoods, create jobs and sustain a living. UNDP’s response to the crisis also includes emergency employment, rubble removal, repairing essential infrastructure, restoring solid waste services and providing institutional support towards a unified civil service and institutional harmonization.
Contact Information
Dania Darwish, Communications Specialist, Tel. +972-2-6268229 – e-mail: dania.darwish@undp.org. For more information on UNDP/PAPP see http://www.ps.undp.org.
Document Sources: UNDP Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (PAPP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Country: Sweden
Subject: Armed conflict, Assistance, Gaza Strip, Shelter
Publication Date: 07/12/2015