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East Jerusalem, 02 March 2015 – In the presence of the H.E. Prime Minister Rami Al Hamdallah, and representatives of various missions and organizations, UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People marked the launch of 19 projects in Area C and East Jerusalem at the historic site of Maqam Nabi Musa in Jericho Governorate.

During the event, H.E. Dr. Al Hamdallah reiterated the importance of strengthening steadfastness of the Palestinian people on their land, which is considered a national priority. He also highlighted the government’s efforts in guiding developmental interventions, including the Community Resilience and Development Programme (CRDP), by the national strategic framework in Area C.

The new projects, worth USD 5.2 million, are components of the third phase of the Community Resilience and Development Programme (CRDP) implemented by UNDP. The Programme, which supports the resilience of Palestinians residing in Area C and East Jerusalem, is funded by the Governments of Sweden, Austria, Norway and the United Kingdom.

Led by the Palestinian Government and guided by the engagement strategy, the Community Resilience and Development Programme (CRDP) is an important instrument utilized to support the resilience of the Palestinian population, improve their livelihoods, and empower them to advance development in the State of Palestine.

“The Community Resilience and Development Programme (CRDP) is a new initiative by the Palestinian Government, with the aim to help start channel funds from the humanitarian field towards the area of development and state building,” said Ann-Sofie Nilsson, Consul General of Sweden. “Support to the people living in Area C and to their development needs is a priority within Sweden´s new strategy for development cooperation with Palestine for 2015-2019”.

Since its inception in September 2012, the CRDP funded 49 projects in various marginalized communities and localities in Area C and East Jerusalem with a total amount of USD 11 million. The projects funded through the third round of CRDP will target a number of sectors including economic empowerment, social welfare, education, water and agriculture.

A wide array of partners, including communities, grassroots organizations, local and international NGOs and Local Government Units implement the CRDP Programme. Partnerships and modalities of implementation are carefully designed in order to facilitate a complementary approach and a transitional process from humanitarian interventions towards development.

“The population in Area C and East Jerusalem is facing dire living conditions,” said Frode Mauring, UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator. “UNDP is proud to be part of this important programme that improves the livelihoods of Palestinians living in Area C and East Jerusalem, who are a cornerstone of Palestinian resilience, aspiration and future potential development opportunities,” he added.

The ceremony was held on Monday 02 March 2015 in the presence of H.E. Prime Minister Rami Al Hamdallah; Ann-Sofie Nilsson, Consul General of Sweden; Dr Andrea Nasi, Head of Mission at the Austrian Representative Office; Frode Mauring, UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator and representatives from the 19 partner organizations and village councils.

It is worth noting that UNDP is implementing several socio-economic development programmes in Area C and East Jerusalem, in particular through the Facilitating Access to Infrastructure Resilience in Area C and East Jerusalem programme (FAIR) and the Deprived Families Economic Empowerment Programme (DEEP).

Contact Information Dania Darwish, Communications Specialist, Tel. +972-2-6268229 – e-mail: dania.darwish@undp.org. For more information on UNDP/PAPP see http://www.ps.undp.org