East Jerusalem, 24 October 2018 – The Government of Austria and UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People signed a Euro 2 million (USD 2.34 million) contribution to the Community Resilience and Development Programme (CRDP) in support of the Palestinian population living in Area C. The additional resources will bring the total donor contribution to the CRDP programme to USD 7 million.

“By this contribution, Austria reaffirms her consistent and tangible commitment to a negotiated two state solution and to the preservation on the ground of the practical conditions necessary to implement it” said Dr Andrea Nasi Head of Mission at the Austrian Representative Office.

The additional contribution will support strategic interventions that will benefit approximately 6000 Palestinians, mainly within the Bedouin community in Area C. Interventions will address vital sectors including education, agriculture, health, economic empowerment as well as alternative tourism and support to the Area C Coordination Office (ACCO).

UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator, Roberto Valent highlighted that the Community Resilience and Development Programme (CRDP) is an excellent instrument to support the resilience of the Palestinian population in Area C and East Jerusalem, improve their livelihoods, and empower them to advance their own development.

Led by the Palestinian Government, the CRDP is funded by the Governments of Sweden, Austria, Norway and Finland and implemented by UNDP. Since its inception in September 2012, the Community Resilience and Development Programme (CRDP) supports the resilience of Palestinians living in various marginalized communities in Area C and East Jerusalem. With over 112,000 Palestinians (40% of them women) benefiting from the previous phases implemented, CRDP aims at improving access to public services, economic and social development, and empowering local institutions.