July 25, 2007

Evacuees on first anniversary of disengagement Photo: Amir Cohen

Ahead of second anniversary of Gaza disengagement, UJC and JAFI announce $2.5 million aid package toward rehabilitation of evacuees

Ynetnews

Ahead of the second anniversary of the Gaza disengagement, Ze'ev Bielsky, chairman of the Jewish Agency, announced a $2.5 million gift to the Friends of Gush Katif organization for the psychological, educational, and professional rehabilitation of the evacuees.

The gift was made possible thanks to a donation of the United Jewish Communities (UJC) and will be managed by the Jewish Agency in conjunction with the Friends of Gush Katif and other organizations.

Funds will be used to assist the evacuees to resume their normal lives and provide them with tools to deal with the trauma that they have gone through. Money will be allocated to scholarships to students; summer camps for children; the establishment of a community center in Nitzan (a gift of the Middlessex Jewish community; and purchase of equipment to the new schools. A donation of the Chicago Jewish community will be used to fund therapeutic programs for children.

In addition, several programs that will assist the evacuees in finding employment, creation of new jobs and professional training programs.

Lior Kalfa (L) with Ze'ev Bielsky (Photo: Sasson Tiram)

Bielsky, met with Lior Kalfa, chairman of the Friends of Gush Katif, in Jerusalem Sunday and said: "Two years after the pullout, evacuees are still facing a difficult reality despite the assistance they received from the state." Kalfa said: "The gift will significantly assist in the preservation of the communities and their rehabilitation until their relocation to a permanent location."