UNDP and Palestinian Ministry of Labour launch cash for work programme for Gaza – UNDP press release

UNDP and the Ministry of Labour roll out Cash for Work Programme for affected communities in Gaza

Gaza, 29 October 2014 – UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People and the Ministry of Labour signed agreements with seven non-governmental organizations to partner in the cash for work programme following the 2014 Gaza crisis.

Building on UNDP’s experience in poverty reduction, cash assistance worth USD 1 million from UNDP’s own resources will be provided, through civil society organizations, to create temporary employment in four sectors; agriculture, education, environment and health.

H.E. Mamoun Abu Shahla, Minister of Labour highlighted the importance of the programme to create more opportunities. “Reconstruction is considered a priority as it will reduce unemployment rates and create a new economic cycle that will benefit Gaza and its people”, he added.

Taking into consideration family size, current socio-economic status, and poverty levels, 1000 employment opportunities over a six-month period for the poorest and marginalized in Gaza will be generated through the initial phase of the programme.

“The programme complements UNDP’s recovery efforts in Gaza to help skilled people restore their livelihoods and sustain a living. Creating jobs is one of our top priorities,” said Nasser Al Faqih, UNDP’s team leader on poverty reduction.

The signing ceremony was attended by H.E. Mamoun Abu Shahla, Minister of Labour, Basil Nasser and Nasser Al Faqih representing UNDP, in addition to representatives from the Palestinian Agricultural Relief committees (PARC), Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC), Job Creation Programme (JCP), IRADAH Rehabilitation Centre for the Disabled, General Syndicate of Marine Fishers (GSMF), Cooperative Agriculture of Beit Hanoun, and Al-Najda social Association.

It is worth noting that the 51-day conflict has resulted in the destruction of over 18,000 housing units, leaving approximately 108,000 people homeless. UNDP’s response to the Gaza crisis includes enhancing livelihoods through 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.