GAZA, July 16, 2009 (WAFA)-  American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA) announced the launch of a preschool renovation project in Gaza. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has granted ANERA more than $93,000 to carry out renovations at 10 different schools throughout Gaza.

The breakdown of water and sanitation services since the blockade and the 22-day war in Gaza has led to increasingly unsanitary conditions both at home and school. Many more children now are exposed to infections.

At least 23 percent of preschools have inadequate drinking facilities or none at all. Preschools in low-income communities are overcrowded and suffering from deteriorating infrastructure, which makes conditions uncomfortable for the children and an unsuitable environment for a quality education.

The five-month project will affect approximately 1,800 preschoolers in vulnerable and war-damaged communities. ANERA will ensure that doors, windows, toilets, play areas, window shades, drinking water and sanitation facilities are returned to proper working condition or made suitable for the preschool's needs.

'Safe and decent sanitary facilities are essential for the psychological and physical well-being of preschoolers at this critical stage of their life and education,' says Nahed al-Wehaidi, ANERA's Project Manager.

ANERA will incorporate public awareness about its preschool repairs into its existing health education sessions and nutritional surveillance activities in preschools through its Milk for Preschoolers Program (MFP). MFP combats malnutrition in Gaza by providing approximately 25,000 children fortified milk and biscuits in 186 preschools in poor and marginalized communities.

The project includes renovation and new installation of sanitary facilities and renovation of classroom and playgrounds. The project also provides educational play games and materials for the preschools as well as nutritional surveillance and health education sessions. The renovations will be carried out in preschools in Rafah, North Gaza, Gaza City, Gaza Middle Area and Khan Younis.