OFID SUPPORTED 7,499 FOOD UNSECURED FAMILIES IN THE GAZA STRIP
13 October 2015
With the aim of mitigating extreme poverty and food insecurity resulting from the blockade imposed on Gaza since 2006, the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) has generously responded to the UNRWA Emergency Appeal and contributed US$ 600,000 to support UNRWA emergency food distribution programme.
The generous donation of US$ 600,000 allowed a total of 7,499 families (1,729 abject poor and 5,770 absolute poor) to receive the UNRWA quarterly food assistance that consists of flour, rice, sugar, sunflower, oil, milk powder, and canned meat. These components provided poor families with their daily caloric requirements.
The distribution to 42,519 beneficiaries of food commodities started in July 2015 at 12 distribution centres across the Gaza Strip and continued until September 2015.
About OFID
The OPEC Fund for International Development is the development finance institution of OPEC Member States, established to provide financial support for socio-economic development with a focus on low income countries.
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:
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
Milina Shahin
Public Information Officer – Gaza Field Office
Mobile:
+972 599 609 485
Office:
+972 8 2887213
Document Sources: OPEC Fund for International Development, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
Subject: Assistance, Closures/Curfews/Blockades, Food, Gaza Strip, Humanitarian relief, Poverty
Publication Date: 13/10/2015