Press Release
Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµFPA, Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµHCR, Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA and OFID initial agreements to pursue humanitarian projects
25/2007 August 31, 2007, Vienna, Austria
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The OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) welcomed, August 30, high representatives of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµFPA, Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµHCR and Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA, visiting the institution to sign agreements for various grants aimed at advancing the work of the three organizations. Dr. Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director, the United Nations Population Fund; HE Dr. Antonio Guterres, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; and Mr. Filippo Grandi, Deputy Commissioner General, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, were received at OFID by Director-General Suleiman Jasir Al-Herbish.
Mr. Al-Herbish spoke of the long-standing cooperation between OFID and all three organizations and said the three and OFID were united in their commitment and dedication to the common cause of humanitarianism. Mr. Al-Herbish described his three guests as leaders who do vital work and have merited the accolade and trust of the international community.
- Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµFPA is to pursue a Palestinian Population, Housing and Establishment Census, with US$1,500,000 in OFID grant assistance;
- Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµHCR will implement an OFID/Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµHCR Joint HIV/AIDS Program for Internally Displaced Persons & Returnees in Côte d’Ivoire & Liberia, with US$300,000 in equal contributions from OFID and Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµHCR; while
- Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA carries out projects under an OFID Micro Enterprises for Palestine Fund (PALFÄ¢¹½ÊÓÆµD), with US$4.5 million in OFID grant. OFID created PALFÄ¢¹½ÊÓÆµD in 2002 and entrusted its administration to Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA.
Cooperation between OFID and all three organizations dates back several years. Thus far, OFID has pursued seven projects with Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµFPA for a total US$7.6 million; 10 projects with Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµHCR for the cumulative amount of US$5.1 million; and11 projects with Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA, in the sum of US$13.3 million. OFID has also worked, over many years, to help relieve hardships in Palestine. Between 1979 and 2002, some seven grant projects and programs, worth US$18.1 million, were implemented by OFID to the benefit of the Palestinians. A Special Grant Account for Palestine was created in 2002 and has delivered financing of US$44.5 million for humanitarian projects in Palestine.
Document Type: Press Release
Document Sources: OPEC Fund for International Development, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµHCR), United Nations Population Fund (Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµFPA), United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA)
Subject: Assistance, Economic issues, Population, Refugees and displaced persons
Publication Date: 31/08/2007