924 ADDITIONAL REFUGEE FAMILIES IN GAZA RECEIVE PAYMENTS FOR RENTAL SUBSIDY PAYMENTS, REPAIR WORKS AND RECONSTRUCTION

17 August 2016

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA was able to disburse over US$ 4.4 million for second quarter transitional shelter cash assistance (US$ 201,300), reconstruction (US$ 3.78 million) and severe repair works (US$ 473,668). The funds reached a total of 924 families across Gaza; they were able to access their assistance this week.

Emergency shelter – including support for home repairs, reconstruction and interim shelter solutions – is a top priority for Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA. The Agency remains committed to supporting affected families yet requires new funding to continue the shelter cash assistance programme.

BACKGROÄ¢¹½ÊÓÆµD INFORMATION

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA is confronted with an increased demand for services resulting from a growth in the number of registered Palestine refugees, the extent of their vulnerability and their deepening poverty. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions and financial support has been outpaced by the growth in needs. As a result, the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA Programme Budget, which supports the delivery of core essential services, operates with a large shortfall,  projected for 2016 to stand at US$ 74 million. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA emergency programmes and key projects, also operating with large shortfalls, are funded through separate funding portals.

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and mandated to provide assistance and protection to some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip achieve their full human development potential, pending a just and lasting solution to their plight. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, protection and microfinance .

For more information, please contact:

Christopher Gunness

Spokesperson, Director of Advocacy & Strategic Communications

Mobile:

+972 (0)54 240 2659

Office:

+972 (0)2 589 0267

Sami Mshasha

Chief of Communications, Arabic Language Spokesperson

Mobile:

+972 (0)54 216 8295

Office:

+972 (0)2 589 0724

Najwa Sheikh Ahmad

Acting Public Information Officer – Gaza Field Office

Mobile:

+972 597 920 542

Office:

+972 8 2887 488