The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) today announced it has received a donation of US$ 32 million provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) to address several infrastructure needs in UNRWA schools and health centres in the West Bank. The announcement ceremony was held in Aida camp in Bethlehem in the presence of the Director of UNRWA Operations in the West Bank, Scott Anderson, representatives of the PLO Department of Refugee Affairs (DORA) and members of the Camp Service Committee for Aida Camp. Remarking on the announcement from SFD to the Palestinian people, Mr. Anderson noted, "My thanks to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their continued support to UNRWA and the refugees of Palestine. This generous donation will improve and enhance our overall service delivery and specifically enhances our education programme, which is a priority for UNRWA and the community." Speaking at the announcement ceremony, the head of the Camp Service Committee for Aida Camp, Adnan Ajarmeh, said, "The refugees in Aida camp extend their thanks to the Saudi Kingdom for their important support to UNRWA, the only remaining witness to the refugee plight. Such projects are much needed and I urge all countries to follow the Kingdom's steps in supporting this vital Agency." This contribution will fund the reconstruction, furnishing and equipping of three health centres and two schools in the West Bank, namely the health centres in Dura town and Aida and Far'a refugee camps and the boys schools in Jenin and Tulkarm camps. This funding will also enable UNRWA to improve the learning environment for its students by upgrading basic infrastructure, as well as science and computer labs. This donation is part of a bigger grant of US$ 67 million from SFD for projects to be implemented in Gaza, the West Bank and Jordan. The agreement was signed by UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Kr?henbühl and SFD Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, H.E. Eng. Yousef al-Bassam, on 27 November 2016. The Kingdom is the second largest donor, UNRWA said.
