Islamic Development Bank Funds Youth Job Creation Program in Gaza – UNDP Press Release

USD 5 million for Youth Job Creation Programme in Gaza

Palestinian Ministry of Labor and UNDP Sign Agreement with Funds from Islamic Development Bank

Jul 28, 2016

H.E. Mamoun Abu Shahla and UNDP Special Representative Roberto Valent signing agreement at UNDP office in Gaza

Gaza, 28 July 2016 – The Ministry of Labour, represented by H.E. Mamoun Abu Shahla, and UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator, Roberto Valent, signed a USD 5 million Memorandum of Understanding to implement the Rapid Employment Generation project in the Gaza Strip, targeting recent graduates and unemployed youth.

The project, funded by the Islamic Development Bank, aims to provide job opportunities to help reduce high rates of youth unemployment originated by the 2014 hostilities on the Gaza Strip and the compounded effects of the last three wars and the Israeli imposed siege. It will also promote the reconstruction and economic recovery process in the Gaza Strip by providing employment and skilling opportunities for at least 2500 unemployed youth.

H.E. Mamoun Abu Shahla, Minister of Labour and Chair of the Palestinian Fund for Employment and Social Protection, said “ The project will boost Gaza reconstruction and rehabilitation by providing jobs and building the capacity of unemployed youth. We look forward to our partnership with UNDP which will support the Palestinian Fund for Employment to expand and develop its employment services as the national umbrella for employment”.

The project, through the employment fund, will provide youth with the opportunity to engage in jobs related to social, municipal and public services, in the areas of information and knowledge management, health, education and rural and urban development, in addition to private sector enterprises and industries, that need to urgently resume production and business activities.

Mr Roberto Valent, UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator highlighted that Gaza’s economy is in a state of protracted and profound crisis. “80% of the Gaza population is dependent on Aid. Unemployment levels are among the highest in the world, and youth unemployment is standing at more than 60%, with young women unemployment standing at a shocking 78%,“ said Mr Valent. “This is a tragic man made crisis that needs to be urgently reverted by lifting the siege on Gaza and the activation of enabling policies and actions by all duty bearers” he added.

It is worth noting that according to the World Bank, 40% of the Gaza population is living below the poverty line. UNDP works closely with partners to improve livelihoods through job creation programmes, rubble removal, maintenance of infrastructure and solid waste remains, in addition to institutional support for unified civil services.  

Contact Information

Dania Darwish, Communications Specialist, Tel. +972-2-6268229 – e-mail: dania.darwish@undp.org. For more information on UNDP/PAPP seehttp://www.ps.undp.org.

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