Qatar contribution to UNRWA to create short-term jobs – UNRWA press release

PRESS RELEASE
28 April 2009

The Government of Qatar through the Qatar Charity contribute US$ 10 million to UNRWA

East Jerusalem, 28 April 2009

Today, Mr. Peter Ford, Representative of UNRWA’s Commissioner-General, and Mr. Ghanim Alsaad, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Qatar Charity have signed a US$10 million agreement to help the people of Gaza.

UNRWA will use the funds to create short term jobs for 8,824 unemployed refugees, over a period of two years. Part of the donation will also be used to provide cash assistance to about 12,000 of the poorest refugee families, many of them displaced by the destruction of their homes, to help them to afford rent and buy basic necessities.

UNRWA’s Commissioner-General said: "I applaud Qatar for moving ahead quickly to help UNRWA address the immediate humanitarian and economic needs in Gaza, which are still enormous three months after the end of fighting because of the extent of destruction and the crippling restrictions on access for supplies of all kinds. In particular this donation will allow us to provide work for the unemployed in a situation where the continuing stranglehold on access of people and materials has decimated Gaza’s private sector and brought the public sector to its knees."

This is the largest contribution ever received from Qatar or any of its foundations, and the first donation received from the Qatar Charity.