The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations (UNDP/Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People- PAPP), for the sum of US $ 7.6 million, to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian whose homes were destructed by recent military operation in Gaza. The Gaza Housing Project will include the construction of 100 housing units in Gaza and will provide immediate shelter to thousands of Palestinian families.
This donation is a part of three other agreements signed between The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and The United Nations Human Settlements Programme-UN HABITAT, The United Nations World Food Programme-WFP and United Nations Development Fund for Women-UNIFEM for the sum of US$ 20,473,200 to support reconstruction and recovery efforts in Gaza.
The signing ceremony took place on Monday 23rd of March 2009, at the Movenpick Hotel in Beirut, under the auspices of His Royal Highness Prince Nayef Bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Interior, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and in the presence of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Campaign for relief of the Palestinians in Gaza represented by its chairman H.E. Dr. Said Al Harthi signing on behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Government, and in the presence of the United Nations Secretary-General of Humanitarian Affairs Ambassador Abdelaziz Ben Mohamed El Rakban, Ms. Marta Ruedas, The United Nations Resident Coordinator and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Lebanon, Mr. Manuel Silva, Executive Director of the WFP and Mr. Moez Dured, Vice Executive Director of the UNIFEM.
The ceremony was also attended by PLO Representative in Lebanon Ambassador Abbas Zaki, the Chairman of the Lebanese -Palestinian Dialogue committee Ambassador Khalil Makkawi, an official delegation from the Kingdom of the Saudi Arabia, and representatives from UN agencies.
Dr. Said Al Harthi highlighted the Kingdom's engagement to help the Palestinian people and provide services to meet basic needs.
Ambassador Al Rakban appreciated the help of the Kingdom in coordination with several UN Agencies and emphasized the effective role of Saudi Arabia in the humanitarian relief programs in Gaza.
"The UN agencies have been engaged in Gaza for many years. It's a very hard and necessary labor that is only possible through the support of countries like Saudi Arabia" said Ms. Ruedas. She also thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the efforts made not only in restoring the infrastructure but also the livelihoods in Gaza.