WASHINGTON, DC | unrwausa.org | August 18, 2014 -- UNRWA USA is proud to announce its partnership with the Zakat Foundation of America (ZF) to provide $39,908 USD worth of emergency non-food items to those displaced by the ongoing violence in Gaza. This generous contribution will help UNRWA provide these essential items to 120 families or roughly 600 individuals. 

Ongoing hostilities in Gaza have left the people of Gaza facing heartbreaking death, destruction, and displacement. With only the clothes on their backs, hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians were forced to leave their homes, seeking safe shelter in UNRWA schools. As of August 4, UNRWA has sheltered over 270,000 people in 90 schools. The Agency is currently providing daily meals as well as other essential non-food items including mattresses, blankets, hygiene kits, diapers, and other personal supplies to those sheltered in its facilities. 

UNRWA USA and ZF’s partnership reflects a strong commitment from ZF’s supporters to protect and assist the people of Gaza in this great time of need. The ever-growing needs of displaced Gazans are vast, but with the support of Zakat Foundation USA, UNRWA will continue to provide non-food items to alleviate the immense suffering. 

Zakat Executive Director, Halil Demir, remarked, “What is happening in Gaza is a tragedy. The lives of millions have been shattered. There is a tremendous increase of Gazan inaccessibility to the basics needed to sustain a healthy life, such as electricity and water. We are glad we could partner with UNRWA to serve the Gazans to ease whatever pain we can.” 

UNRWA USA’s Executive Director, Abby Smardon, says “as the urgent needs in Gaza continue to increase, we are incredibly thankful for this critical partnership with Zakat Foundation USA. This support will provide life-saving support to those in Gaza who need it most. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Zakat Foundation USA even beyond the current crisis in Gaza to ensure that Palestine refugees lead lives of dignity and hope.” 

ZAKAT FOUNDATION OF AMERICA

The Zakat Foundation of America (ZF) is an international charity organization that helps generous and caring people reach out to those in need. Their goal is to address immediate needs and ensure the self-reliance of the poorest people around the world with Zakat and Sadaqa dollars of privileged Muslims and the support of other generous donors. 

UNRWA USA

UNRWA USA is an independent non-profit organization that provides support for UNRWA humanitarian work through advocacy, fundraising, and education. UNRWA USA aims to educate the general American public about the situation of Palestine refugees and generate support for UNRWA programs in the West Bank, Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. US taxpayers are eligible for tax deductions for donations made through UNRWA USA.