The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has increased its contribution to UNRWA by $9 million for a project to re-house over 3,500 Palestine refugees in Rafah. The donation of $39 million will fund 752 dwelling units for Palestine refugees whose homes in Rafah were demolished during the second intifada. The contribution will also fund the construction of public buildings: four schools, a health clinic, a community centre with a market area and a mosque. Construction of the public buildings is 80% complete and today, contracts valued at $23 million were signed for the construction of the housing units. Awarding the contracts to five local construction companies, John Ging, UNRWA's Director of Operations in Gaza said: “This very generous donation from the Saudi Fund for Development is of immeasurable importance to Rafah as it creates 340,000 man-days over the next eight months.” He added: “Work will commence within a week”.
