Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences grants $2.5 million to rebuild Biriya school in Syria
The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development signed a grant agreement with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) worth $2.5 million to contribute to the reconstruction of the Biriya school in the Khan Sheikh camp in Syria.
Rashid Al-Badr, the Acting Director General of the Fund, told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) after signing the grant agreement remotely on Thursday that the Fund’s contribution involves carrying out the school’s reconstruction works, equipping its facilities and related infrastructure, and supporting the continuity of educational services provided to Palestinian refugees.
Al-Badr added that the signing of the agreement reflects the State of Kuwait’s steadfast commitment to supporting Palestinian brothers, and its belief that education is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone for building a sustainable future.
He clarified that the Biriya school reconstruction project goes beyond rehabilitating infrastructure and educational facilities; it embodies a humanitarian and developmental dimension aimed at supporting students’ right to education and providing a safe and suitable learning environment that facilitates their educational journey.
He noted that the project includes demolishing and rebuilding the Biriya school, which suffered severe damage during the crisis in Syria, and rehabilitating its facilities and infrastructure. He explained that the project helps reduce overcrowding and provides a safer, more inclusive, and accessible learning environment for all students, including those with disabilities, in addition to improving the school’s surrounding environment and providing related services and facilities.
He pointed out that the new school will include 14 classrooms and several specialized educational facilities in various fields, in addition to developing water and sanitation facilities, allocating space for psychosocial support, and providing necessary furniture and equipment to enhance the quality of the educational process.
Al-Badr expressed his pride in the ongoing partnership with UNRWA, commending its efforts in providing essential services and improving the living conditions of Palestinian refugees.
For his part, Christian Saunders, the Acting Commissioner-General of UNRWA, who signed on behalf of the agency, stated that the project goes beyond being an infrastructure initiative; it represents an investment in stability, dignity, and hope for the Palestinian refugee community.
Saunders expressed his gratitude to the Government of Kuwait and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development for their generous support of Palestinian refugees through UNRWA.
