O.I.C. Members Asked To Increase Their Assistance To Al Aqsa Fund

ISTANBUL - Yemen chairing the Supreme Council of the financial support mechanism for Palestine together with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) called on all members countries to the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to provide further funding support to the Al Aqsa and Al Quds funds on Monday.
Holding a news conference under the 31st Session of Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul, Foreign Minister Dr. Abu-Baker Abdallah Al-Qirbi of Yemen called on all OIC-members to provide further funding support to the Al Aqsa and Al Quds funds.
''By May of 2004, total contributions to the two funds amounted to 728 million U.S. dollars. Al Aqsa and Al Quds have approved projects and programs valued at 772 million U.S. dollars covering all vital sectors of economy with special emphasis on education, health, reconstruction of infrastructure and municipal facilities, agriculture, trade and industry and employment. In this framework, the funds provided a total of 480 million U.S. dollars direct budget support to provide basic public services such as electricity and water and salaries for teachers and health care workers,'' he said.
Al-Qirbi noted, ''the two funds have almost reached capacity yet the crisis to humanity in Palestine has reached extraordinary proportions. It is very important to us that the good work in Palestine continues. We must not give up, despite the destruction, reconstruction must occur. I urge all OIC members to pledge funds to Al Aqsa and Al Quds funds.
Al Aqsa and Al Quds funds were created by the Arab League at the Extraordinary Arab Summit held in October of 2000 to provide the Palestinian people with emergency aid to alleviate their suffering and to help rehabilitate their economy.
(UK-AÖ) 14.06.2004