RCO, UNRWA sign
Gaza reconstruction agreement
Embassy Newsletter 25 November 2014
Manama, Nov. 13. (BNA) — Following directives from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Royal Charity Organisation (RCO)’s Honorary President, and under the patronage of HM the King’s Personal Representative for Charity Work and Youth Affairs and RCO’s Board of Trustees Chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, an agreement to reconstruct the Gaza Strip was signed by RCO and United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
It was signed by RCO’s Secretary-General and the Bahrain National Committee for Supporting the Palestinian People in Gaza Dr. Mustafa Al-Sayed and the Representative of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA Ambassador Peter Ford.
The signing ceremony was also attended by the RCO’s Board of Trustees Deputy Chairman Shaikh Adnan bin Adnan bin Abdulla Al Qattan, the Palestinian Ambassador to Bahrain Taha Abdul Qader, the British Ambassador to Bahrain Iain Lindsay, the Foreign Ministry’s Undersecretary Abdulla Abdullatif, RCO’s board members and officials from a number charity societies.
Shaikh Nasser extended utmost thanks and appreciation to HM the King for his continuous charity and humanitarian efforts, and directives to support the brotherly Palestinian people in Gaza, which reflects his firm stances towards the just Palestinian cause and commitment to backing the Palestinians in order to help them set up an Independent Palestinian State, with Jerusalem as its capital.
He lauded the support accorded to RCO and the Bahrain National Committee for Supporting the Palestinian People in Gaza by the government, led by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier.
He praised the contributions of the Bahraini citizens, as well as the trade and industrial companies to efforts to reconstruct Gaza.
He said that upon Royal directives, RCO’s projects will focus on the reconstruction of infrastructure and human resources development, explaining that under the agreement, the Shaboura Health Centre and a school will be re-built.
A residential complex for those whose homes were destroyed by the Israeli attacks will also be built, he added, noting that a library will also be built to enhance the cultural movement in the Gaza Strip.
He also announced the Shaikh Nasser Award for Charity and Humanitarian Work, to be granted to personalities and organisations that provided humanitarian and charitable services in support of the needy and stricken people without regard to race, religion, sex or sect, and away from politics and partisan affiliations, but for purely humanitarian reasons
“We are pleased to announce that Ambassador Peter Ford is the first person to whom the award is granted in recognition of his great humanitarian work and services for refugees and needy people, in general, and the Palestinian refugees, in particular,” Shaikh Nasser said.
RCO Secretary-General said that the Health Centre in Shaboura, expected to benefit 45,000 people, will be rebuilt and well-equipped, adding that it will include many facilities.
He added that the school that will be re-built will contain 30 classrooms and accommodate about 1,000 students, and will have all required facilities.
He highlighted the kingdom’s relief aid to the Palestinians and development projects implemented in the Gaza Strip.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Representative Ambassador Peter Ford expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to the kingdom’s leadership, government and people for their constant support to the Palestinian people in Gaza, highlighting Bahrain’s leading role in implementing development projects.
He also expressed utmost thanks to Shaikh Nasser for honouring him and conferring on him the Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Award for Charity and Humanitarian Work.
