Syria's first ever donation to wfp goes to palestinians
Syria-Palestine, Economics, 1/11/2005

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) welcomed today a Syrian food donation to support thousands of poor and unemployed Palestinians suffering the effects of worsening living conditions in the occupied Palestinian territories.

On Monday WFP began shipping the 1,200 metric tons of wheat flour, valued at $324,000, from the Syrian port of Lattakia to WFP's emergency operation in the territories, which assists nearly half a million Palestinians living in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

"We welcome the first ever donation by the Syrian government to WFP and look forward to more support from Damascus as well as other capitals in the region," said Mohamed El-Kouhene, WFP's Country Director in Syria.

"Donations to our emergency operation in the territories are especially welcome at this time when humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people have risen sharply due to deteriorating security that continues to devastate the economy," added El-Kouhene.

In September 2004, WFP launched a one-year extension of its emergency operation in the territories, valued at $41.6 million, which will provide 78,000 tons of food assistance to 480,000 Palestinians (135,500 in Gaza and 344,500 in the West Bank).

"The initiative of providing this humanitarian aid through WFP is an expression of the commitment by the Syrian government and Syrian people to reduce the suffering of Palestinians in their current difficult circumstances," said Adel Safar, Syrian Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform.

Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank are facing skyrocketing unemployment and economic hardship. Currently, some 16 percent of the population lives in absolute poverty, surviving on less than US$1.6 per day.

"We are thankful for the support of the Syrian government to the Palestinian people, and hope this first initiative will lead to further cooperation and encourage other Arab countries to help ease the suffering of Palestinians," said Jean-Luc Siblot, WFP's Country Director in the Palestinian territories.

The wheat flour will be incorporated in the food aid deliveries for the Hardship Social Cases such as female-headed households, single mothers, orphans, the elderly, and chronically ill, as well as Food-for-Work beneficiaries.

WFP estimates that 36 percent of Palestinians are food insecure. "People live in dire circumstances and this donation will be of enormous help to them. We want to thank all concerned authorities for facilitating the arrival and distribution of the food to those in need," added Siblot.

WFP's operation in the Palestinian territories is currently facing a funding shortfall of about $20 million. In addition to Syria, donors to date include ECHO, Switzerland, Italy, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the European Commission, the United States, as well as other multilateral donations.

Previous Stories:
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  Okaz: Palestinian Officials on PLO leadership visit to Syria   (12/15/2004)
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  Syria is ready to buy the Palestinian agricultural produce   (1/27/2001)

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