U.S. to aid West Bank and Gaza with $400 million initiatives
June 10th, 2010 - 3:58 am ICT by BNO NewsWASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) – President Barack Obama on Wednesday announced that the U.S. will contribute with hundreds of millions of dollars in initiatives and commitments for the West Bank and Gaza.
U.S. assistance will total around $400 million, which will be designated to help increase access to clean drinking water, create jobs, build schools, expand the availability of affordable housing, and address critical health and infrastructure needs.
President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad’s leadership is making a difference for the Palestinian people, in Gaza, and in the West Bank. The White House explained that these initiatives result directly from their advocacy and guidance.
“While we work with our partners in the Palestinian Authority, Israel, Egypt, and the international community to put such a strategy in place, these projects represent a down payment on the United States’ commitment to Palestinians in Gaza, who deserve a better life and expanded opportunities, and the chance to take part in building a viable, independent state of Palestine, together with those who live in the West Bank.”
The projects announced on Wednesday include a $240 million investment by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation in the AMAL mortgage finance program in the West Bank, which is designed to increase home ownership and a $75 million fund from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to support the Palestinian Authority’s work to improve infrastructure throughout the West Bank and Gaza.
In addition, $10 million in USAID-funded activities will be granted to help the Palestinian private sector and $40 million to support UNRWA’s Emergency Appeal for Gaza and the West Bank focused on education, health services, job creation, and shelters,
Three other projects in Gaza will receive around $30 million for school rehabilitation, small-scale agriculture, the repair of a hospital facility, community infrastructure, the construction of five new UNRWA schools, and water distribution and wastewater collection systems repair.
On May 31, a pro-Palestinian Turkish aid ship was trying to reach the Gaza Strip, which is under control of Hamas, but the Israeli Navy raided the ship and as result, nine people were killed.
Earlier in the week, the Israel Defense Forces appointed Maj. General Giora Eiland to head a team of experts to examine the flotilla operation.
- Probe finds flaws in Israeli flotilla takeover - Jun 20, 2010
- Hamas foiling Gaza power crisis solution: Palestinian PM - Mar 26, 2012
- United States to make additional $55 million contribution for Palestinian refugees - Mar 13, 2010
- Palestinian PM resigns for government reshuffle - Feb 14, 2011
- Israel Navy intercepts Gaza-bound aid vessels - Nov 04, 2011
- Carter Center condems "Israel's attack" on Gaza-bound ships - Jun 03, 2010
- United States contributes $40 million for Palestinian refugees - Feb 05, 2010
- Now, second aid ship heading towards Gaza - Jun 04, 2010
- Israel restricts schools' construction in Gaza - Oct 24, 2010
- Obama says US wants credible, impartial investigation after Gaza flotilla deaths - Jun 02, 2010
- Israel allows spare parts, engine oil into Gaza - Sep 13, 2010
- Obama calls for clarification of 'facts' after Gaza flotilla clashes - Jun 01, 2010
- Palestine rejects US call to start direct talks - Jul 18, 2010
- Hamas announces the formation of new Gaza government - Mar 11, 2011
- Palestinians seek political, financial support from Baghdad Arab summit - Mar 26, 2012
Tags: barack obama, bno, critical health, emergency appeal, finance program, home ownership, independent state, job creation, mahmoud abbas, mortgage finance, overseas private investment, overseas private investment corporation, palestinian authority, president mahmoud abbas, private investment corporation, salam fayyad, scale agriculture, state of palestine, west bank, west bank and gaza