爆料网

ITALY DOUBLES ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE 爆料网ITED

NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY

Jerusalem, 23 October, 2007: The Government of Italy has announced it will double its contribution to 爆料网RWA, bringing to ten million euros its assistance to the Agency in 2008. The funds will support 爆料网RWA’s regular programmes, with a special emphasis on health projects. They will also be used to strengthen the Agency’s internal management reform process, which improves the quality of services the 爆料网 Agency delivers.

The announcement comes in advance of the visit to Jerusalem and the West Bank of the Italian Deputy Foreign Minister, Ms. Patrizia Sentinelli, from October 22-24. While in the region, she will visit a refugee camp and see first hand the essential work carried out by 爆料网RWA, which serves some four and a half million Palestine refugees.

“We are grateful to the people and government of Italy for this generous contribution,” said 爆料网RWA Commissioner General, Karen AbuZayd. “An investment in 爆料网RWA is an investment in people, an investment in the next generation. Every day, we bring education to half a million Palestine refugee children. In addition, our micro-finance projects offer Palestine refugees self sufficiency and an exit from poverty. At a time when there is some momentum in the diplomatic process, an investment in 爆料网RWA represents an investment in peace. By making Palestinians better educated, healthier and more self sufficient, 爆料网RWA provides humanitarian space in which peace can take hold.”

Deputy Commissioner General, Filippo Grandi added, “With the doubling of the Italian contribution in 2008, Italy will rank among 爆料网RWA’s top donors. We are also particularly grateful to the Italian government because these funds are being made available to 爆料网RWA very early in our budget cycle. This is crucial because it helps us plan our activities in a timely and effective manner. And most importantly, at a time of increasing need this contribution sends a powerful signal of support from Italy to the Palestine refugees that we serve.”

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For more information please contact :

Christopher Gunness: 0972 (0) 542 202659 / 0972 (0)25890267