Dubai Cares-funded UNRWA school stands as beacon of hope for Zarqa refugees – UNRWA press release

Dubai Cares-funded UNRWA school stands as beacon of hope for Zarqa refugees

مبنى مدرسي جديد للأونروا بتمويل من دبي العطاء يوقد مشعل الأمل للاجئين في
مخيم الزرقاء

20 December
Zarqa, Jordan

UNRWA’s Deputy Commissioner-General, Ms Margot Ellis, and CEO of Dubai Cares, Mr Tarek AlGurg, presided over the inauguration of the Zarqa Preparatory Boys School No. 2 today. The Zarqa School was reconstructed thanks to the generosity of Dubai Cares, a humanitarian establishment launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.

In the presence of a representative of the Jordanian government, Eng. Mahmoud Akrabawi, officials from the Jordanian government and representatives of the community and school pupils, Ms Ellis praised Dubai Cares for its generosity: “With this generous contribution, Dubai Cares reaffirms its commitment to support the human development of Palestine refugees and helps UNRWA ensure a better future and higher employability prospects for them.”

Ms Ellis lauded the UAE government and HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for having been strong and consistent supporters of UNRWA and the Palestinian refugees for many years. She expressed the wish that this cooperation continues and expanded further: “Dubai Cares, which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has responded to one of UNRWA’s priority needs and we hope that our future collaboration will continue to bring hope and relief to refugee pupils.”

The US$1.5 million project provides a new school with all amenities, comprising a permanent building for preparatory and elementary sections, an assembly hall, a library, science and computer laboratories, administration offices, arts and crafts rooms, and a canteen. It will make the school the largest primary and secondary education facility in Zarqa camp with more than 710 students benefiting from its modern facilities.

– ENDS –

Background information

UNRWA provides assistance, protection and advocacy for some 4.7 million registered Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the occupied Palestinian territory, pending a solution to their plight. The Agency’s services encompass education, health care, social safety-net, camp infrastructure and improvement, community support, microfinance and emergency response, including in times of armed conflict.

UNRWA is funded almost entirely by contributions from States. The Agency’s core budget for 2010-2011 stands at $1.23 billion. In 2009, emergency appeals for the West Bank, Gaza and Lebanon amounted to $827.4 million.

For more information please contact:

Christopher Gunness
UNRWA Spokesperson
Mobile: +972 (0)54 240 2659
Office: +972 (0)2 589 0267
c.gunness@unrwa.org  

Sami Mshasha
UNRWA Arabic Spokesperson
Mobile: +972 (0)54 216 8295
Office: +972 (0)2 589 0724
s.mshasha@unrwa.org