“Development of the Palestinian people is our priority”

The United Nations, and more specifically UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian people have always been in the forefront providing a lifeline to millions of Palestinians through humanitarian and development support. 

UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People was established by UN General Assembly on 20 December 1978 “to improve the economic and social conditions of the Palestinian People”. 

In 2015 alone, we have been able to improve the livelihoods of over 175,000 poor and vulnerable people through economic empowerment initiatives; provide legal aid services to more than 26,400 vulnerable Palestinians, focusing on women (41%) and juveniles; rehabilitated 37 basic and higher educational facilities, serving 35,900 students in Gaza, generating over 300,000 jobs for skilled and unskilled labourers through the delivery of infrastructure activities also in Gaza; and rehabilitated 13,637 partially damaged houses, as a result of the 2014 hostilities on Gaza, hosting around 95,000 households ( 49% of the total affected population).

Indeed, the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza demands immediate attention. Next year will mark half a century of the Israeli occupation and it is time for those who seek an attainable political and developmental solution to take a moment for reflection. 

With the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we are also at a critical juncture in establishing a new approach to foster resilience, an approach that leaves no one behind. The UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), which is currently under development, will be built on this approach. 

For UNDP/PAPP, supporting the resilience and development of the Palestinian people is a priority. We renew our commitment to support the Palestinians to live a dignified life and build a viable, sustainable and cohesive State of Palestine. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Bahrain for their continuous support. I would also like to acknowledge Royal Charity Organization of Bahrain’s contribution to UNDP/PAPP in 2015 to rehabilitate and open the first Palestinian Public Library in the old city of Jerusalem.