Saudi donates $67m to UNRWA

Saudi Arabia donated $67 million for projects to be implemented in Gaza, West Bank and Jordan by the UNRWA, the Anadolu Agency reported yesterday.

According to a statement issued by UNRWA, Saudi Arabia’s donation was made through the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), noting that the three agreements were signed by the SFD Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Yousef Al-Bassam and UNRWA’s High Commissioner Pierre Krähenbühl.

The statement noted that $28 million was allocated to UNRWA’s ongoing projects in Gaza, including the reconstruction of houses demolished during the 2014’s Israeli offensive which killed more than 2,260 Palestinians and wounded over 11,000 others.

It also noted that $32 million would be used for the reconstruction and furnishing of several health centres and schools in the West Bank and the implementation of several other ongoing projects run by UNRWA.

While the last $7 million, the statement explained, would be used to provide funds for reconstructing, furnishing and equipping two health centres and one school run by UNRWA in Jordan.

The statement stated that the Saudi official said: “We are a proud partner of UNRWA, which is doing an excellent job of transparently portraying the true situation of Palestine refugees.”

“We shall continue to support UNRWA and we look forward as always to witnessing the impact of these projects on Palestine refugees.”

Meanwhile, Krähenbühl said: “I am extremely grateful to the government and the people of Saudi Arabia for the sustained support that the kingdom has extended to UNRWA over the years.”

According to the statement, he added: “The kingdom has always been forthcoming in its support towards Palestine refugees… Our partnership with the SFD is of high importance to the agency and deeply appreciated.”