Amman, 10 December 2021 (TDI): Sweden, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the United Nations Development Programme’s signed a contribution agreement worth SEK 50 million (US$ 5.7 million) to help Palestinian refugees in Gaza.

Gaza Early Recovery Programme

The Programme aims to restore access to essential services and ensure safe housing and living conditions. These populations include internally displaced and vulnerable non-refugee and refugee households whose homes have been destroyed or damaged as a result of the hostilities.

According to UNRWA, the Swedish support will provide urgent assistance to the most vulnerable households in the Gaza Strip by securing much-needed job opportunities and providing shelter support for refugees and non-refugees.

As the Director of UNRWA Affairs in Gaza, Thomas White stated:

“This really is a great example of partnership between UN agencies working as one to serve the people of Gaza and made possible by the leadership and support of SIDA”.

According to the Agency, the programme will create short-term job opportunities for 525 people and provide access to e-work opportunities to another 120 youth in Gaza. As well, 1,000 refugee displaced families during the May 2021 hostilities will receive support. Taking into consideration family size and current socio-economic status, the programme will prioritize women-headed households and persons with disabilities and provide them with cash assistance to address their accommodation needs.

UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator, Yvonne Helle, highlighted that “UNDP is committed to making a difference and improving the living conditions of the Gaza population. The contribution from Sweden will create much-needed job opportunities, strengthen the resilience of the Gaza population and help restore their lives and livelihoods”.

Swedish Representatives attended the signing ceremony, which took place on Tuesday 07 December 2021. Between them, Göran Paulsson, Head of Sweden’s Development Cooperation, Deputy Director of UNRWA Operations in the West Bank, Kate O’Rourk,e and Yvonne Helle, UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator.