Charitable Authority Signs Two Agreements with UNICEF Worth Half a Million Dollars to Support Water and Child Nutrition in Gaza

As part of its humanitarian partnership efforts, the Islamic World Charity Organization (IWCO) signed two cooperation agreements with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), with a total value of $500,000, to support water and child nutrition projects in the Gaza Strip. These initiatives aim to enhance access to safe water and adequate nutrition for affected populations amid the severe humanitarian conditions in the region.

Speaking on the sidelines of the signing ceremony, Abdulrahman Al-Mutawa, Deputy Director General for Corporate Communications at IWCO, stated that the two agreements reflect the organization’s commitment to continuing its support for the Palestinian people, particularly children and the most vulnerable groups, through effective humanitarian partnerships that help meet basic needs and protect children’s health and development.

Al-Mutawa explained that the first agreement, valued at $300,000 and lasting 12 months, aims to support water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions by rehabilitating and maintaining three wells, thereby improving water access for approximately 80,000 beneficiaries. The second agreement, worth $200,000 and also spanning 12 months, targets specialized nutritional interventions for over 143,000 children, enhancing their health and growth while reducing the risks of malnutrition.

He noted that the total number of projects approved by IWCO in the Gaza Strip since the outbreak of war in October 2023 reached 184, with funding exceeding $24 million. Of these, 143 projects have been completed, benefiting more than 1.046 million people. These projects covered relief, health, water, shelter, education, and development sectors, as part of a continuous humanitarian response despite field challenges.

Regarding water initiatives, Al-Mutawa highlighted that IWCO approved 15 projects with funding of approximately $1.5 million, contributing to the provision of over 34.5 million liters of drinking water. The organization also implemented interventions to support children’s needs, including the provision of infant formula, which benefited more than 16,000 children at a total cost of $175,000.

Al-Mutawa emphasized that the scale of humanitarian needs in Gaza requires sustained response efforts, coordinated actions, and expanded partnerships. He pointed out that cooperation with UNICEF enhances the integration of resources and expertise, helping to direct aid efficiently to those in need and achieve tangible impacts on their lives.

He added that “the true value of humanitarian work is not measured solely by the volume of funding, but by the tangible impact it achieves in people’s lives, and by our ability to monitor results, learn from experiences, and improve our response to evolving needs.”

He emphasized that the organization’s responsibility does not end with the signing of agreements, but extends to monitoring the implementation of projects, measuring their outcomes, and verifying that their humanitarian objectives are achieved. He expressed the organization’s pride in the firmly established humanitarian approach of the State of Kuwait, across its leadership, government, and people, as well as its steadfast positions in supporting the Palestinian people and assisting those affected. He commended the contributions of donors and benefactors who sustain humanitarian initiatives with their support and trust, reaffirming the organization’s commitment to translating their donations into tangible impacts in the lives of those in need.

For her part, Lena Khalil Al-Warraq, UNICEF Representative to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, expressed her gratitude and appreciation to the Global Islamic Charity Organization for its trust and partnership. She praised the generosity of the people of Kuwait and their solidarity with children and families during times of hardship, emphasizing that this partnership transforms humanitarian solidarity into practical responses to basic needs in the Gaza Strip.

Al-Warraq stated that providing safe water and adequate nutrition is essential to protect children from disease and malnutrition, and to support their health and development. She explained that the two agreements, with a total value of half a million US dollars, will contribute to improving water supplies for approximately 80,000 people and supporting essential nutritional interventions for more than 143,000 children.

She added that the partnership combines the charity’s generosity with UNICEF’s field and technical expertise, thereby helping to direct resources to the most vulnerable children and families. She highlighted the organization’s commitment to monitoring project implementation, providing technical support, and enhancing accountability for resources and results, to ensure the achievement of intended objectives. She stressed the importance of sustaining and expanding humanitarian cooperation, and ensuring the safe and sustainable delivery of aid, to guarantee the protection of children and meet their needs for water, food, and care.