PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has contributed RM5mil to the Palestinian government for the rebuilding of the Al-Rimal Clinic, which houses the one and only Covid-19 testing laboratory in Gaza. The clinic was damaged by Israeli airstrikes in May.

       The Exchange of Notes (EoN) on the contribution was signed by Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah and Palestinian Ambassador to Malaysia Walid Abu Ali at Wisma Putra yesterday.

       Saifuddin said the contribution, which is funded by allocation from the National Disaster Relief Trust Fund under the National Disaster Management Agency, reflected Malaysia’s unwavering support for the government and the people of Palestine.

       “The incessant Israeli attacks have destroyed public infrastructure in Gaza, including healthcare facilities that provide critical services to the Palestinians amid the pandemic,” he said at the EoN signing ceremony.

       Saifuddin said the Malaysian government had also decided to extend predictable long-term contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), in support of the agency’s efforts to assist Palestinians.

       In addition to the previous financial contributions to UNRWA, he said the government had allocated US$1mil to be disbursed annually in the amount of US$200,000 from 2021 until 2025.

       “The contributions from the government complement humanitarian efforts and assistance from Malaysia, including those undertaken by the private sector, non-governmental organisations, as well as private individuals,” Saifudin also said.

       Apart from financial aid, Saifuddin said Malaysia would look into ways to help the Palestinians in terms of education and employment. — Bernama