A grant agreement for $4 million from the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development through the Islamic Bank for Development was signed with Welfare Association for the implementation of 19 emergency program projects.  

This grant, part of the Arab Fund’s emergency program to support the Palestinian people, is the fifth phase funded by Arab financial institutions, and earmarked for projects in the following sectors: health, education, early childhood, construction of facilities for NGOs, creation of job opportunities for farmers, and the development of NGOs in both the West Bank and Gaza.

On Tuesday, May 12, 2009 a signing ceremony was held between Welfare Association and the following beneficiary NGOs:

Almerage Society for Relief and Development,Ramallah

Balaa Sports & Cultural Club, Tulkarem

Chirass cultural center, Bethlehem

General Arab Women's Union, Ramallah

General Federation of Sports for the Disabled, Ramallah

General Qarawat Bani Zeid, Ramallah

Halhul municipality

Independence Center of the Media Development, Hebron

Institute of Hope, Gaza

Jaffa cultural center, Nablus

Palestinian Medical Relief Society, Gaza

Psycho-social Counseling Center for Women, Bethlehem

Rahma Mercy Association, Gaza

Saint Nicolas Charitable Home for the Elderly, Beit Jala

Social Action Committees, Tulkarm

Stars of Hope Association, Ramallah

The Revival of the Family, Ramallah.

The emergency program to support the Palestinian people is a six-staged effort begun in 2002 under Welfare Association’s management. A total of 196 projects have been completed so far, with a total value of US$ 134 million in the following areas: support to educational institutions, restoration in the Old City of Jerusalem, rehabilitation of infrastructure, and the provision of health services.

The importance of the Emergency Program lies in its dual dimensions of being a relief and development program, including the short term relief needs for health services and housing to address the immediate alleviation of the suffering of the Palestinians, and the longer term development work of human resource development, infrastructure projects, and capital projects.

Grants from the Arab financial institutions to the Palestinian people have played an influential role in contributing to meet the urgent needs of Palestinians and to support the survival, steadfastness and protection of the civil institutions.  The generous support provided by the bodies of the joint Arab action is greatly appreciated both by civil society as well as by the Palestinian National Authority.