Improving the Academic Performance and Nutrition of Children in Gaza
From October 2009 to June 2010, Mercy-USA for Aid and Development is partnering with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to provide daily school lunches/snacks to approximately 6,200 children attending 8 elementary and preparatory schools in Gaza. This project is helping to improve the overall nutritional status of the children, as well as their academic performance.
The food items used to make the daily snacks are purchased locally, which is helping to create and sustain jobs and benefit the devastated economy.
From March to July 2009, Mercy-USA partnered with UNRWA to provide about 1,315,220 meals to approximately 18,900 children attending 22 elementary and preparatory schools in Gaza.
During February and March 2009, Mercy-USA helped to fund the emergency food aid distribution carried out by UNRWA. During this period, food packages containing flour, rice, sugar, milk, canned meat and sunflower oil were provided to families living in poverty. Mercy-USA's support allowed over 2,160 families in need (about 10,800 persons) to receive 10,379 liters of sunflower oil for cooking.
