JERUSALEM, June 12, 2018 (WAFA) - The European Union (EU) has made its first contribution to the Palestinian Authority (PA) to support Palestinian farmers and agro-businesses in the Gaza Strip, an EU press release said on Tuesday.

The contribution amounts to €306,000 and provides direct support to 81 farmers in Beit Hanoun.

The Assistance to Agriculture Programs in the West Bank and Gaza Strip work, through the PA, with farmers and agribusinesses that have been directly affected by the Israeli occupation. This support will help farmers to restart, repair or replace their damaged businesses through different activities including acquisition of agricultural supplies, rehabilitation of land and other small infrastructure works.

"The EU is supporting farmers in the West Bank and Gaza as part of its commitment to reviving the Palestinian economy. Our contributions, through the Palestinian Authority, to farmers, vulnerable families, pensions and salaries and hospitals are the translation of our commitment to building a future Palestinian State as part of the two-state solution," said Deputy EU Representative Tomas Niklasson.

A financial support of €10.5 million is allocated by the EU through the PA‘s programme "Private Sector Reconstruction Gaza – Agriculture (PSRG-A)". This programme is expected to benefit around 400 farmers in Gaza.

The EU works with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Palestinian Agriculture Risk Reduction and Insurance Fund to implement this programme. The payments are made by the Palestinian Authority‘s Ministry of Finance and Planning through a network of local banks in the West Bank.

M.K.