WASHINGTON,  March 6, 2010 (WAFA)-  ANERA (American Near East Refugee Aid) announced Friday a donation of $1 million from the government of Kuwait to fund ANERA's work with children in Gaza.

With this donation, ANERA will expand its Milk for Preschoolers program, which has been delivering vitamin-fortified milk and biscuits to approximately 20,000 preschool children across Gaza since 2003 (read more). It also will continue its renovations of independent preschools (read more) and support of non-governmental education programs across the beleaguered region.

Milk for Preschoolers has garnered the support of many donors who see ANERA successfully reaching people in need in a location rife with challenges. The $1 million grant is a valued endorsement of ANERA's ability to deliver while vetting and using the highest standards of accountability and responsibility.

ANERA extended deep gratitude to two particular individuals for making this donation possible: Sheikh Salim Al-Abdallah Al-Jabir Al-Sabah, Ambassador to the US, and Sheikh Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

ANERA said it stands committed to the people of Gaza. With donors like the Kuwaiti government, we look forward to serving Gaza's growing children and their parents well into a future that produces stability and opportunities for all.

Incorporated in 1968 to help ease the suffering of Palestinian refugees after the Arab-Israeli War of 1967, ANERA is non-political and non-religious and is one of the largest American non-profits working solely in the Middle East for 40 years.

In fiscal year 2009, ANERA delivered $48.5 million for programs in the Middle East

With offices in the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon and Jordan, ANERA employs more than 60 full-time staff who are locally hired and work with local partners.