$705m needed to assist 1.6m Palestinians

Strategic Response Plan for occupied Palestinian territory, that was recently launched, seeks USD 705 million to assist 1.6 million Palestinians in need, UN spokesman told the press Wednesday.
At the daily briefing, UN Secretary General's Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that as of February 22, more than 72,000 homeowners have been cleared to receive construction material for shelter repairs and close to 50,000 have already procured construction material to date.
The processing of some 71 construction projects through the Palestinian Authority is ongoing, including housing projects, water networks and schools, he noted. Of these, Dujarric confirmed that 25 projects have been approved to date, and to include schools, water related projects and waste management related projects.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), he added, is currently providing shelter and basic services to almost 11,000 internally displaced people living in 15 collective centers. Over one million people across the Gaza Strip are receiving food assistance, mainly from UNRWA and the World Food Programme, he said.