ABU DHABI, March 16, 2009 (WAFA) - Chairman of the Board of the United Arab Emirates Red Crescent Authority (RCA) Dr. Ali Abdullah Al-Kabi, and Representative of UNRWA's Commissioner-General Mr. Peter Ford signed, Monday, two agreements for the rehabilitation of shelters and relief activities in Palestinian camps in Lebanon.

RCA has pledged US$ 5 million to rehabilitate shelters in Bourj El Shemali refugee camp in South Lebanon. The project will improve the physical condition of 343 shelters identified as the most structurally unsound, hazardous and unhygienic among the many dilapidated shelters in Burj el-Shemali camp.

The project comes under the Camp Improvement Initiative, an initiative launched by the Lebanese Government and UNRWA in 2006, to improve the living conditions of Palestine refugees in Lebanon's 12 refugee camps.

The RCA is also contributing US$ 1 million towards UNRWA's relief activities for refugees affected by the Nahr El Bared conflict. The funds will allow UNRWA to construct 149 temporary housing units for Palestinian families who were displaced from the camp during summer 2007, and who are still hosted by relatives or friends or in unsuitable places.