GBP 500,000 partnership will help improve access to education for children in Gaza

24 July 2015; London, UK:

In line with its commitment to improving the lives of the apoor, Al-Khair Foundation (AKF), the third largest Muslim charity in the United Kingdom, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

The GBP 500,000 (US$ 777,605) agreement will see UNRWA and AKF working together to provide education to besieged children in the Gaza Strip, including the potential to reconstruct schools, in line with the UNRWA #SOS4Gaza campaign.

The partnership is a result of the shared goal of AKF and UNRWA to alleviate suffering in one of the world’s most deprived areas.

Imam Qasim Rashid Ahmad, Chairman and Founder of Al-Khair Foundation, said that he was “delighted??? to collaborate with UNRWA in making a difference in the lives of young Palestine refugees. “Partnering with UNRWA is a crucial part of our objective to enhance the impact of our work in the Middle East and provide programmes that improve the lives of those who need our help the most,??? he said. “Education is a key focal point for AKF and we will continue to look at effective and efficient methods of delivery – including partnerships with agencies that share our vision.???

Matthias Burchard, Director of the UNRWA Representative Office to the European Union, expressed his hope that the MoU would be the first step in a long-term partnership between AKF and UNRWA. “For the past 65 years, we have been striving to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development,??? he said. “We are certain that our partnership with Al-Khair Foundation will positively impact the lives of children who would otherwise have no access to education.???

Present at the MoU signing ceremony in Brussels were Matthias Burchard, Director, UNRWA Representative Office to the European Union; Imam Qasim Rashid Ahmad, Chairman and Founder, Al-Khair Foundation; and Saif Ahmad, CEO, Al-Khair Foundation.

While this contribution from AKF will provide urgently needed support for Palestine refugees, the UNRWA General Fund deficit still stands at US$ 101 million.