Fed: Australia providing $8 million to Palestine initiatives

AAP General News (Australia)
08-31-2004
Fed: Australia providing $8 million to Palestine initiatives

CANBERRA, Aug 31 AAP - Australia will give $8 million over the next three years to
a program to support peace in the Middle East by preventing poverty among Palestinians.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the funding would go towards implementing the
Middle East Non-Government Organisation (NGO) Cooperation Agreements (AMENCA).

AMENCA is designed to support the Middle East peace process by decreasing the vulnerability
of Palestinians to poverty and conflict, strengthen the capacity of Palestinian institutions
to provide essential services for their people, and support peace-building efforts.

Mr Downer said the aid would focus on high priority areas of development including
income generation, support for vulnerable groups including women and children, and sustainable
agriculture.

"By supporting Australian NGOs to help develop the peace-building within Palestinian
society, the Australian government aims to maximise the impact of Australian humanitarian
funding in the Palestinian territories," Mr Downer said in a statement.

Australian NGOs will be invited to submit proposals for projects which address peace-building
activities, increase self-reliance, and help in the delivery of essential services.

The contribution is part of an estimated $12 million in Australian humanitarian assistance
to support Palestinian refugees over 2004/05.

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KEYWORD: PALESTINE AUST

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