US to give USD 71 mln in aid to Gaza

WASHINGTON, Sept 23 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of State John Kerry late on Monday announced a USD 71-million "life-saving humanitarian assistance" package "to help meet emergency needs in Gaza." The US previously committed USD 47 million back in July.
According to the State Department, USD 59 million has been allocated to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) programs in Gaza, and the other USD 12 million is for the "work of other implementing partners, including those of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to provide emergency water, shelter, food, and healthcare.
"The United States remains committed to addressing the needs of the Palestinian people," read the statement. "More than 58,000 people are still sheltering in United Nations facilities and basic necessities like food, clean water, and fuel remain in short supply throughout the territory." Since Israel's assault on Gaza in the summer, the US has contributed more than USD 118 million in aid to the blockaded strip. (end) ys.hb