MINISTRY DISTRIBUTES AID WORTH $257,000 TO STORM-AFFECTED GAZANS

Gaza City, 5 Rabi’ul Akhir 1435/5 February 2014 (MINA) – Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs distributed financial and in-kind aid worth 257,500 USD donated by Turkey for the families affected by the winter storm that lately hit Gaza.

Mr Ismail Radwan, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs, said his ministry from the first moment of the catastrophe worked hard to alleviate the severity of the storm, carrying out relief programmes and forming central and sub-committees to deal with it.

The ministry earlier distributed cash aid worth 228,423 USD, 3159 food parcels worth 60.158 USD, ready meals worth 4450 USD, 2916 and blankets worth 54.154 USD, he said, ALRAY, Palestinian Media Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting, Wednesday.

“The ministry secured a number of apartments as makeshift shelters for seven affected families,” he added, noting that it “launched ‘One Body’ fundraiser which contributed to provide for the affected,”

Radwan deeply thanked Turkey and Qatar for their generous contributions and support of the resilience of the Palestinian people during the storm.

He called on the Islamic scholars and Arab league to observe their responsibilities and work hard to life the siege on Gaza.

A four-day winter storm hit Palestine last December causing massive flooding of entire neighborhoods in the Gaza Strip and great losses to private and public sector.

On the wake of the storm, Ministry of Housing and Public Works estimated the damage toll at $62 million.(T/E01/IR)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)