8 May 2012
Jabalia, Gaza Strip
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) opened a new health centre today, serving Palestine refugees across the Northern Gaza Strip. The Saftawi Health Centre, constructed through a donation from Greece, will serve over 70,000 refugees in one of the most densely populated areas of the occupied Palestinian territory.
Robert Turner, Director of UNRWA Affairs in Gaza, welcomed the contribution. “We are grateful for the generous contribution from Greece, which will allow us to provide quality health care to some of the most vulnerable Palestine refugees in Gaza.”
Immediately following the devastation of the 2008-2009 Gaza War, the Greek government confirmed the USD 2.5 million donation for the health facility. Due to the ongoing blockade of construction materials into the Gaza Strip, completion of the project was delayed until today.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Consul General Sotirios Athanassiou stressed that Greece remains a strong supporter of UNRWA and its humanitarian and human development work throughout the region.
“Supporting refugees’ health is one of the most important elements of our support”, he said, “and this project constitutes one more token of friendship and solidarity with the Palestinian people.”
With a staff of 74 specialists, the health centre will dramatically improve access to outpatient care, dental care, and rehabilitation for refugees with disabilities. These services are complemented by specialists in maternal and family health, preventive medicine, as well as laboratory and radiological services.
Background information:
UNRWA provides assistance, protection and advocacy for almost five million registered Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the occupied Palestinian territory, pending a solution to their plight. The Agency’s services encompass education, health care, social safety-net, camp infrastructure and improvement, community support, microfinance and emergency response, including in times of armed conflict. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by contributions from UN member states.
For more information, please contact:
Chris Gunness
UNRWA Spokesperson
Mobile: +972 (0)54 240 2659
Office: +972 (0)2 589 0267
c.gunness@unrwa.org
Sami Mshasha
UNRWA Arabic Spokesperson
Mobile: +972 (0)54 216 8295
Office: +972 (0)2 589 0724
s.mshasha@unrwa.org
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