GAZA, October 24, 2016 (WAFA) – The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said Monday that it was able to disburse over $1.7 million for reconstruction and repair work of Gaza homes damaged from Israel’s last war on the coastal enclave.

The funds reached a total of 242 refugee families across Gaza, it said in a statement.

Over $951,000 will go for homes that need reconstruction and over $759,000 to severe repair works.

Emergency shelter – including support for home repairs, reconstruction and interim shelter solutions – is a top priority for UNRWA, said the international agency.

“The Agency remains committed to supporting affected families yet requires new funding to continue the shelter cash assistance program,” it said.

UNRWA’s assessment confirmed 142,071 Palestine refugee houses as impacted during the 2014 war; 9,117 of them are considered totally destroyed. 5,417 shelters have suffered severe, 3,700 major and 123,837 minor damages

Since the start of the 2014 emergency shelter response, the Agency has distributed over $215 million (excluding Program Support Costs) to Palestine refugee families whose homes were damaged or destroyed in the war.

M.A.