Palestinians seek donation to attend humanitarian needs

The Palestinian National Authority and the UN called on the international community on Monday to donate $547 million for the humanitarian needs in the Arab country's territories.

Palestinian Minister of Social Development Ibrahim Al-Shaer and UN humanitarian coordinator in the Palestinian territories Robert Piper launched the call under the title "Humanitarian Response for 2017" to save the lives of 1.6 million people in the Palestinian territories.

During a joint press conference with Piper in Bethlehem, Al-Shaer urged the international community "to exert utmost efforts to end the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories", Xinhua news agency reported.

He added that the Israeli occupation "has put many Palestinians under severe conditions and is hindering them from achieving economic welfare and social cohesion while living under occupation without sovereignty".

For his part, the UN official warned that the nearly 2 million population of the Gaza Strip "is facing its 10th year under (Israeli) blockade that makes normal life impossible".

"This call comes to aid the most vulnerable segments of the society, and the most harmed among Palestinian families throughout the Palestinian territories," said Piper.

The plan includes implementing 243 projects through 95 non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

--IANS

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