RAMALLAH, July 28, 2009 (WAFA)- Howard Sumka the mission director of  the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) said his agency has provided more than $2.2 billion in U.S. economic assistance to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza via projects designed to reduce poverty, improve health and education, implement infrastructure and water projects, create jobs, and promote democracy and good governance.

In a meeting with journalists in Ramallah, Sumka explained that the USAID funds programs that help people living in the West Bank and Gaza aimed at improving the lives of the Palestinians, noting that the USAID signed last Friday a $200 million cash transfer grant agreement with the Palestinian Authority.  The transfer provides critical budget support to the Palestinian Authority and partially fulfills the Secretary’s pledge at the March 2009 Sharm el-Sheik donor’s conference.

Mr. Sumka reviewed  the projects that USAID is working with projects of: Democracy and Governance, Economic Growth Activities by assisting in promoting business and agricultural development, Youth and Education Activities, Water Resources and Infrastructure and Health and Humanitarian Assistance.