WAFA - Ramallah 

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) West Bank and Gaza Mission announced a new health program aimed at investing $50 million to increase health access and improve the quality of emergency and essential heath services in Gaza, said the USAID in a press release.

This five-year program:  Gaza 2020 Health Matters, in partnership with International Medical Corps, will work with non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, and private entities to strengthen the resilience of the Gaza health sector allowing it to respond rapidly and effectively in the event of crisis. 

“The program will strengthen health networks by training staff, purchasing health equipment, providing psychosocial support programs, and promoting health awareness campaigns,” the release explained. “This is part of a larger USAID investment designed to take a holistic approach for a sustainable development strategy in promoting Gaza’s recovery efforts.” 

“This investment highlights our commitment to the people of Gaza and provides basic health services to the most vulnerable families” said Dave Harden, USAID West Bank and Gaza Mission Director.

Rabih Torbay, Senior Vice President for International Operations at International Medical Corps said, “We are proud to have been selected by USAID to implement this major, groundbreaking program, and we look forward to working together to sustainably strengthen and improve health service delivery in Gaza.”

The U.S. Government, through USAID, is the leading provider of bilateral development assistance to the Palestinians, providing  more than $4.9 billion since 1994 for programs in the areas of democracy, governance, education, health, humanitarian assistance, private sector, water resources, infrastructure, and people-to-people reconciliation activities.

International Medical Corps has delivered more than $2.2 billion in humanitarian relief and training in 75 countries since 1984. Today its global staff of over 8,000 provides assistance to devastated communities in the world’s hardest-hit areas, from Syria to Sierra Leone, Iraq to Afghanistan.