JERUSALEM (JTA) — The European Commission will give $10 million to help Palestinian families living in the West Bank.
The commission decided to channel funds from its Humanitarian Aid department through nongovernmental and international organizations, including United Nations agencies, according to a news release issued Tuesday.
The funds will be used for emergency job creation and the provision of dry food rations for Palestinians living in the West Bank’s Area C, which is under Israeli control and administration.
Karel De Gucht, commissioner for development and humanitarian aid, said "2009 has been one of the worst years in recent times for the people of the Gaza Strip. This crisis has attracted a lot of international attention, but we mustn’t forget that vulnerable communities in the West Bank are also struggling to survive because of the severe access restrictions and the fragmentation of their territory."
The commission already has channeled $106.5 million for Palestinian assistance in 2009, including emergency aid for Palestinians living in Gaza, according to the release.
