The aid convoy of Qatar Charity entering Gaza.

DOHA: Qatar Charity’s convoy of 18 trucks laden with of books and stationery worth QR10m reached Gaza Strip on Tuesday. Qatar’s gift of the educational aid to children in Gaza is the first one in two years.

The charity’s generous assistance came in response to United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East’s (UNRWA) appeal for support before the beginning of the school year, in June.

The stationary of more than 200 tonnes will be sorted out, repacked and distributed after Eid according to officials. “The rearrangement of the stationary items will be done at the UNRWA centers. It will be distributed to most needy in private, public, government and UNRWA schools,” said Abdel Razzaq Al Gharabawi, Director of Qatar Charity Office in Gaza in the presence of Dr Yousef Ibrahim from the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Dr Muhammed Oumadath, Director of Education Department, UNRWA.

Qatar Charity’s educational aid to Gaza students comes in collaboration with Al Meera Consumer Society, the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization and UNRWA. The consignment has reached at a time of severe shortage of school materials. The support will contribute to support education in Gaza. Orphans, needy students and children attending UNRWA and government schools will be the first to get the materials.

The Qatari assistance was part of an international aid support for the Gaza Strip, the biggest since the Israeli aggression in December 2008. It was a part of a 30-truck convoy laden with 390 tonnes of stationary, foodstuff, apparel, medical supplies, blankets, mattresses, heaters and other commodities that started off from Jordan on Sunday.

Qatar Charity is a non-government organization which was established in 1992 in order to support the Qatari society and other needy communities abroad. QC is one of the largest charities in the Gulf, its activities covering more than 40 countries in Africa, Asia and Europe, through its registered field offices in various countries or local civil societies as implementing partners.