UAE | Housing & Property

Project part of 'strategy to help Palestinians'

A Dh47.7 million housing project under construction in the Gaza Strip is part of the UAE's "long-term commitment" to the Palestinian people, according to a Red Crescent official.

  • By Zoi Constantine, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:00 January 31, 2007
  • Gulf News

Dubai: A Dh47.7 million housing project under construction in the Gaza Strip is part of the UAE's "long-term commitment" to the Palestinian people, according to a Red Crescent official.

Dr Saleh Al Taee, the UAE Red Crescent Authority's (RCA) Director of Relief and Emergency, said the project under way in the town of Khan Younis is part of a "strategy to help the Palestinian people, who continue to live in isolation".

The RCA recently announced the completion of the first phase of the multimillion dirham housing project, which is set to include 600 homes, and health and educational facilities.

"The RCA has a long-term commitment to the Palestinian people and we consider this as the first priority, because the people continue to need help. We have been greatly encouraged by our leaders to continue helping and supporting the Palestinian people and this is what we are doing day and night," Dr Al Taee told Gulf News.

According to Khalifa Nasser Al Suwaidi, chairman of the RCA's board, the project stems from the initiative of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to help the besieged population of the Palestinian territories.

"It is incredibly difficult in this sad situation because many do not have work, and have also lost their homes. This is our responsibility and the first thing we can do for the women, children and civilians."

The RCA identified the Khan Younis development as its second largest project in the Palestinian territories, following the construction of over 1,000 homes in the West Bank refugee camp in Jenin.

The RCA attributed the destruction of the homes to operations carried out by the Israeli military.

Additional RCA projects have included the Shaikh Zayed City in Beit Lahia in Gaza, the Shaikh Zayed district in occupied Jerusalem, the Rafah Charitable Hospital and the Shaikha Salama Bint Butti Ophthalmology Hospital in Nablus.

According to the RCA, the Khan Younis project is being undertaken in cooperation with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

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