Aid to UNRWA from the Mormon Church and Islamic Relief Worldwide – UNRWA press release

110 Tons of Aid to UNRWA from the Mormon Church

and Islamic Relief Worldwide

Beirut – The United Nations Relief and Works Agency in the Near East, (UNRWA) received on 2 September a joint in-kind donation from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) and Islamic Relief Worldwide, in collaboration with the United Palestinian Appeal, to be distributed to Palestine refugees in Lebanon.

Ms. Diana Sufian, the Media Director and Deputy Emergency Relief Director of the Mormon Church as well as Mr. Ahmad El Bendary, founder of Islamic Relief USA, were welcomed by the Deputy Director of UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon and a number of senior Agency officials when the aircraft carrying the 110 tons of aid supplies arrived on Saturday, 2 September at Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut.

Contents of the shipment include medical and first aid supplies, quilts, infant formula, clothing, newborn kits, wheelchairs and other relief items. Distribution will be prioritized for needy Palestine refugees in Lebanon: mainly child, women and disabled refugees in the areas most adversely-affected by the recent war.

This generous donation comes at a time when UNRWA is in dire need for additional assistance, as the war has exhausted the Agency’s relief and medical supplies. Due to the war, the Agency provided immediate emergency relief to Palestine refugees and to displaced Lebanese who sought refuge in UNRWA camps and schools, whilst continuing to provide its regular services.

This marks the first occasion in which Islamic Relief Worldwide and the Mormon Church, in collaboration with the United Palestinian Appeal, provide joint assistance to Palestine refugees in Lebanon.

UNRWA is an operational UN Agency providing services on a regular basis to a population of 405,000 registered Palestine Refugees in Lebanon, including health, education and relief and social services.

For more information contact:

Mrs. Hoda Samra Public Information Officer – Office phone: 961-1-840462 Ext 314
Fax Number: 961-1-840466, e-mail: h.samra@unrwa.org