Interpal was invited to attend the UN Relief and Works Agency’s Hosts’ and Donors’ Meeting (HDM) that took place on 18-19 November 2009 at the Movenpick Dead Sea Resort in Jordan. During the two days representatives of donors including states, the private sector and NGOs that contribute to UNRWA’s funds as well representatives of states hosting Palestinian refugees gather to discuss the funding situation and the way forward. UNRWA was established by United Nations General Assembly resolution 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949 to carry out direct relief and works programmes for Palestine refugees. This is therefore a significant year as the “temporary” UN agency now celebrates its 60th anniversary.

Partners for Peace and Development for Palestinians (PPDP), which has been established to develop a Palestinian advocacy network operating from different international centres, has announced two initiatives to assist the embattled people of Gaza.

At a House of Commons reception on 16 July sponsored by Interpal and hosted by Phyllis Starkey MP as well as Martin Linton MP, the Secretary General of PPDP, Ibrahim Hewitt, said that PPDP’s business partner, the Norway-based European NGO Empowerment Services (ENES) has signed an agreement for 2,000 prefabricated housing units, at a total cost of $20 million, to be shipped to Gaza. “The first consignment is almost ready for shipment to Egypt, and from there to the beleaguered Gaza Strip. Discussions have already taken place with a number of governments to seek important diplomatic support for the units to be allowed through the Rafah crossing,” said Mr Hewitt.

The second project announced by PPDP, is a collaboration with the International Committee to Lift the Siege on Gaza to sponsor a convoy of 100 minibuses, with medical equipment and educational and humanitarian aid primarily for schools and students. The intention, added Mr Hewitt, is for the aid to arrive in Gaza in time for the new academic year. Prominent Egyptians and Egyptian embassies in Europe are involved in this project and it is hoped to ship the buses to Port Said in late August.

Ibrahim Hewitt added that since PPDP’s founding conference in October 2007, a working committee has held a number of workshops with organisations such as the Palestine International Institute, INTRAC and the Qatar Foundation. “Our friends have been working closely with lawyers in Europe on cases involving Palestinians and Palestinian organisations providing humanitarian relief,” he said. “PPDP’s partner organisations include Geneva- based Droit pour Tous, and, in Paris, the One Justice group of lawyers.”