WB supports emergency service and community development needs in West Bank – WB Press release

Ramallah, Febuary 2, 2007 – Mr. Rafiq Al-Husseini, Chief of Staff of the President of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Dr. Juan José Daboub, the World Bank’s Managing Director signed an agreement today for the administration of a US$25 million grant to the West Bank and Gaza, to support the following 3 projects:

·         Emergency Municipal Services Rehabilitation Project II (US$10 million)

·         Palestinian NGO Project III (US$10 million)

·         Additional Financing for the Bank’s existing Integrated Community Development Project (US$5million)

“The World Bank’s program in the West Bank and Gaza is designed as a response to alleviate the impact of the current situation on Palestinians.  The focus of our technical and financial assistance is to facilitate the delivery of basic services to vulnerable families building on the institution’s experience in similar situations,” said Dr. Juan José Daboub, the World Bank’s Managing Director.  

The 3 projects respectively support access to basic social and economic services in poor and marginalized communities in the West Bank and Gaza, including solid waste collection, street lighting, wastewater and electricity services, health services.  They will also provide temporary job opportunities to unemployed Palestinians, and help sustain reliable mechanisms for delivery of emergency social services.

“These three projects contribute to the immediate needs of communities in West Bank and Gaza  as a result of the current situation,”  said Ms. Daniela Gressani, World Bank Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa Region. “We will also support the capacity of local communities through job creation and collaborative initiatives that will provide the basis for long term sustainability of these services”.

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For more information on the World Bank’s work in The West Bank and Gaza, please visit
www.worldbank.org/ps