UNRWA INAUGURATES SHEIK KHALIFA BIN ZAYED AL NAHYAN CITY IN KHAN YOUNIS
AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF FOUR SCHOOLS ACROSS THE GAZA STRIP
09 December 2015
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on 6 December 2016 inaugurated Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan City in Khan Younis, as well as four new schools in Gaza. The housing project was funded through a generous contribution of US$19.7 million from the United Arab Emirates Red Crescent (UAERC). A total of 4,000 Palestine refugee persons will benefit from 600 new housing units prepared to re-house refugee families who were living in poor and inadequate shelters. The project started in 2007 and was halted for almost 5 years due to the Israeli blockade and conflicts in Gaza.
The four schools that were inaugurated at the ceremony represent Phase 1 of a generous contribution of US$ 8 million from the United Arab Emirates Red Crescent (UAERC). The total project foresees the construction of a total of eight schools.
“This project is very significant for Palestine refugees, it is very large and comprehensive, with infrastructure, electricity network, a school and a water well, ” said Melinda Young, Director of UNRWA Operations (Officer-in-Charge) in Gaza. “It’s also a realization of a fundamental human right: the right to a dignified life for Palestine refugees in Gaza. Again, we acknowledge our generous donor for helping make this happen,” she added.
Speaking on behalf of the UAERC, Mr. Sufian Abu Zayd, the UAERC representative in Gaza, said, “The UAERC has always been and will continue to be a great supporter of the Palestinian people in Gaza. What really matters for the UAE Red Crescent is to help and support refugee families in Gaza in time of need and during times of emergencies.”
The event was attended by Mr. Mufeed Al Hasayna, Minister of Public Works and Housing, governor and mayor of Khan Younis, in addition to a number of notables and dignitaries, as well as members of the local community .
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions, and financial support has not kept pace with an increased demand for services caused by growing numbers of registered refugees, deepening poverty and conflict. As a result, the UNRWA General Fund, which supports core essential services and most staffing costs, operates with a large deficit. UNRWA emergency programmes and key projects, also operating with large deficits, are funded through separate funding portals.
UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and mandated to provide assistance and protection to some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip achieve their full human development potential, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, and microfinance.
For more information, please contact:
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Christopher Gunness Spokesperson, Director of Advocacy & Strategic Communications Mobile: +972 (0)54 240 2659 Office: +972 (0)2 589 0267 |
Sami Mshasha Chief of Communications, Arabic Language Spokesperson Mobile: +972 (0)54 216 8295 Office: +972 (0)2 589 0724 |
Document Sources: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
Country: United Arab Emirates
Subject: Assistance, Children, Education and culture, Gaza Strip, Refugees and displaced persons, Shelter
Publication Date: 09/12/2015