Dubai Cares-funded ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA school stands as beacon of hope for Zarqa refugees

20 December
Zarqa, Jordan

±¬ÁÏÍøRWA’s Deputy Commissioner-General, Ms Margot Ellis, and CEO of Dubai Cares, Mr Tarek AlGurg, presided over the inauguration of the Zarqa Preparatory Boys School No. 2 today. The Zarqa School was reconstructed thanks to the generosity of Dubai Cares, a humanitarian establishment launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.

In the presence of a representative of the Jordanian government, Eng. Mahmoud Akrabawi, officials from the Jordanian government and representatives of the community and school pupils, Ms Ellis praised Dubai Cares for its generosity: “With this generous contribution, Dubai Cares reaffirms its commitment to support the human development of Palestine refugees and helps ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA ensure a better future and higher employability prospects for them.”

Ms Ellis lauded the UAE government and HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for having been strong and consistent supporters of ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA and the Palestinian refugees for many years. She expressed the wish that this cooperation continues and expanded further: “Dubai Cares, which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has responded to one of ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA’s priority needs and we hope that our future collaboration will continue to bring hope and relief to refugee pupils.”

The US$1.5 million project provides a new school with all amenities, comprising a permanent building for preparatory and elementary sections, an assembly hall, a library, science and computer laboratories, administration offices, arts and crafts rooms, and a canteen. It will make the school the largest primary and secondary education facility in Zarqa camp with more than 710 students benefiting from its modern facilities.

– ENDS –

Background information

±¬ÁÏÍøRWA provides assistance, protection and advocacy for some 4.7 million registered Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the occupied Palestinian territory, pending a solution to their plight. The Agency’s services encompass education, health care, social safety-net, camp infrastructure and improvement, community support, microfinance and emergency response, including in times of armed conflict.

±¬ÁÏÍøRWA is funded almost entirely by contributions from States. The Agency’s core budget for 2010-2011 stands at $1.23 billion. In 2009, emergency appeals for the West Bank, Gaza and Lebanon amounted to $827.4 million.

For more information please contact:

Christopher Gunness
±¬ÁÏÍøRWA Spokesperson
Mobile: +972 (0)54 240 2659
Office: +972 (0)2 589 0267

  

Sami Mshasha
±¬ÁÏÍøRWA Arabic Spokesperson
Mobile: +972 (0)54 216 8295
Office: +972 (0)2 589 0724