Ramallah - "Jerusalem" dot com - Muhammad Abu Khdeir - Aler Grubbs, Director of USAID USAID, reviewed the mission's projects during the years 2021 and 2022, and those that were recently approved after US President Joe Biden's visit to the occupied Palestinian territories.

During a meeting with a number of representatives of the Palestinian press yesterday afternoon, Grubbs said: USAID's work is part of the United States' commitments, which are administered equally between Palestinians and Israelis, according to the vision of the two-state solution, noting that the assistance provided by the agency, which it will provide during the remaining months of the year 2022 and 2023 are new, important and tangible for the Palestinians.

She stressed that the goal is to improve the lives of the Palestinian people to create conditions for a viable two-state solution between Palestinians and Israelis, adding: USAID deals with the economic and development aspirations of the Palestinian people.

She added that the agency is working to promote development led by the private sector. through improved access to basic services such as health care and clean water; increasing opportunities for young people; support for civil society and vulnerable populations; and providing life-saving humanitarian assistance.

She said: The agency works to promote peacebuilding and conflict resolution between Israelis and Palestinians, and these efforts work together to enhance freedom, security, and prosperity for Palestinians, Israelis, and their neighbors.

She indicated that the agency supports dialogue and meetings between Palestinians and Israelis to meet on issues of common interest to build trust and strengthen the conditions for peace, and that the agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs bring together individuals from different backgrounds in peace-building activities between individuals, and these activities provide opportunities to address issues, reconcile differences and enhance understanding. and mutual trust by working on common goals such as economic development, cooperation, environment, health, education, sports, music and information technology.

Groups said that the process of supporting and building peace comes in accordance with the enactment by Congress of the Middle East Partnership for Peace Act (MEPPA), to provide up to $ 250 million over five years to promote peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians to enable a sustainable two-state solution, and MEPPA promotes economic cooperation between the two sides.

She added: Support for peacebuilding takes place in accordance with the Partnership Initiative in the Middle East - and the promotion of conditions conducive to peace, noting that USAID's work during the year 2021 resulted in the disbursement of $100 million, and an amount of $150 million was allocated for the coming months of the current year 2022, as allocated for the year Next 2023, the amount of 270 million dollars.

She revealed that this aid comes as part of larger and broader projects for the United States, estimated at about half a billion dollars.

She said that the grants provided by the Agency for Conflict Management and Mitigation (CMM) support Israelis, Palestinians, and citizens to address issues of common concern, and the US Agency for International Development / West Bank and Gaza, and the US State Department jointly manage these grants, while CMM activities provide opportunities to develop solutions and conciliation between differences and foster greater understanding and mutual trust by working on common goals such as economic development, the environment, health, education, sports, music and information technology.

She added: The Nita M. Lowey Partnership for Peace in the Middle East Act (MEPPA) promotes economic cooperation, people-to-people peacebuilding programs, and advances shared community building, peaceful coexistence, dialogue, and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. To achieve these goals, MEPPA established two funds and authorizes With up to $250 million over five years, starting with $50 million in fiscal year 2021 funding, MEPPA designates USAID and the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to implement the funds.

She stated that the Partnership Fund supports the two parties for peace within the framework of MEPPA, Israeli-Palestinian partnerships that build on a proven record of solving joint economic and social development challenges through two major initiatives, and it encourages building joint societies by promoting mutual understanding, trust and cooperation through Israeli and Palestinian partnerships. that addresses common social development challenges, within two funding tracks: the Partnership for People for Peace Fund Grant Opportunity and the Regional Economic Bridges (BREB) activity.

In response to a question about democracy and civil society organizations, she said that we consider civil society organizations - including community groups, religious groups, human rights defenders, journalists and others - important to the development of society and the mitigation of conflicts in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

She added: The agency provides capacity-building assistance and grants to civil society organizations to implement social and community development projects and improve government response to citizens' needs. The agency also supports training and peer learning opportunities in civil society organizations to increase the organizations' effectiveness and advocacy.

She said that the agency is currently doing this through the following activities:
Civic and Community Engagement Activity (CPCE)
$5 Million • Implemented by FHI Development 360 LLC • 2021-2023

She said: The civic engagement and community engagement (CPCE) activity enhances governance and builds the capacities of civil society organizations in addition to increasing the development of participatory society and civic engagement. CPCE helps civil society organizations better advocate for and serve citizens, which will lead to increased citizen engagement and participation.

She pointed out that the agency supports the urgent needs of the most vulnerable populations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, including by providing essential food assistance, essential non-food items such as hygiene kits and medical supplies, access to clean water and health care, and psychosocial support. For children affected by conflict and economic opportunities to improve the quality of life of Palestinians.

She indicated that the agency is doing this through the following activities:

Helping the vulnerable in the West Bank and Gaza Strip
$20.2 million • Implemented by the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) • 2021-2022 In partnership with the World Food Program, USAID's "Assistance to Vulnerable Groups in the West Bank and Gaza" project addresses food security, enhances food consumption, It increases dietary diversity for the most vulnerable and food-insecure non-refugee population. In addition, WFP connects the Palestinian private sector (including shopkeepers, farms and factories) to produce and deliver assistance.

Imagine Gaza 2020
$50 million • Implemented by Catholic Relief Services • 2016-2023

Envision Gaza supports vulnerable individuals and their families in Gaza to deal with ongoing stresses and unexpected shocks. Envision Gaza provides emergency assistance to vulnerable people through appropriate and timely humanitarian aid for the purchase of food and other essential life-saving household items and training for local NGOs to enable rapid response to crises. In addition, Envision Gaza supports a range of livelihood opportunities for the most vulnerable. job readiness training for young people who have recently graduated from university or vocational training; Small capital grants to existing companies to help them restart, stabilize or grow. The activity prioritizes those most affected by shocks, such as COVID-19 or the May 2021 conflict in Gaza.

In addition, the Agency supports vulnerable populations through humanitarian aid, and provides life-saving assistance to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip through its Humanitarian Assistance Office.

She indicated that the agency increases opportunities for youth, including vulnerable and marginalized youth, and helps them to engage effectively in their communities. The agency provides youth with the necessary psychosocial support, life skills and leadership opportunities, in addition to referrals to technical training and other forms of support to build skills and generate income.

She said that the agency is currently carrying out the following activity:

Youth positive participation activity
$25 million • Done by Mercy Corps • 2021-2026
Positive Youth Engagement (PYE) is a five-year multi-sectoral youth activity designed to address issues core to Palestinian youth development, PYE supports 50,000 vulnerable and marginalized youth between the ages of 10-19 with services that improve education, health, access to employment opportunities and community participation Through: (i) psychosocial and vocational guidance, life skills, and civic education activities; (ii) Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs, internships, and entrepreneurship support; and (iii) youth-led clubs and councils, community advocacy and social media campaigns, and mentorship opportunities.