Amman
The Royal Charity Organisation (RCO) of Bahrain has pledged $5.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for reconstruction efforts in the heavily damaged Gaza Strip. In a separate agreement $200,000 worth of urgent essential supplies will also be provided by RCO through UNRWA for Palestinians affected by the conflict.
The Commissioner General of UNRWA, Pierre Krähenbühl, said: “With this generous donation to UNRWA's Flash Appeal, Bahrain once again stands at the forefront of support to Gaza. These funds will allow not only to provide urgently needed relief to the population in Gaza, but will also support a longer-term reconstruction program. The scale of destruction of civilian infrastructure is extensive, with many thousands having no homes to return to. I wish to sincerely thank the government of Bahrain for its solidarity at this most challenging time."
After the 2008-2009 conflict Bahrain provided approximately $5 million for the construction of a new school, health centre and library. .Specific projects which will funded by the RCO donation will be confirmed as soon as more detailed needs assessments in Gaza are possible.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, and microfinance.
Financial support to UNRWA has not kept pace with an increased demand for services caused by growing numbers of registered refugees, expanding need, and deepening poverty. As a result, the Agency's General Fund (GF), supporting UNRWA’s core activities and 97 per cent reliant on voluntary contributions, has begun each year with a large projected deficit. Currently the deficit stands at US$ 68 million.
For more information, please contact:
Christopher Gunness
UNRWA Spokesperson
Mobile: +972 (0)54 240 2659
Office: +972 (0)2 589 0267
c.gunness@unrwa.org
Sami Mshasha
UNRWA Arabic Spokesperson
Mobile: +972 (0)54 216 8295
Office: +972 (0)2 589 0724
s.mshasha@unrwa.org