Saudi Arabia, through the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), has donated $59 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for projects to be implemented in Gaza, the West Bank and Jordan.

SFD Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Yousef Al-Bassam and UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krähenbühl on 4 February signed three agreements in support of the projects in the occupied Palestinian territory and Jordan. The first agreement, valued at $43.5 million, will support ongoing projects in Gaza, including the repair of more than 7,500 shelters for Palestinians whose homes were damaged during the 2014 Gaza War and the maintenance of three UNRWA schools. The second agreement, valued at $8 million, will fund the maintenance of nine UNRWA schools and 10 health centers in Jordan. The third agreement, valued at $7.5 million, will provide funds for the reconstruction, furnishing and equipping of three health centers in the West Bank.

Saudi Arabia has contributed more than $500 million to UNRWA to date. Over the past three years, Saudi Arabia has become UNRWA’s third largest donor. It has also been a valued member of the UNRWA Advisory Commission, which advises and assists the Commissioner-General in carrying out UNRWA’s mandate, since 2005.