The World Bank stated that Italy contributed an amount of 8 million euros, equivalent to US$ 9.53 million to the Palestinian Partnership for Infrastructure Development Multi-Donor Trust Fund (PID Fund), pointing out that this is the first contribution to the fund by Italy, joining a partnership of ten development partners.

Consul General of Italy in Jerusalem, Giuseppe Fedele, said: "Italy is a longstanding supporter of Palestinian people in Gaza, whose struggles are currently exacerbated by the impact of the pandemic."

"With this project, Italy aims at supporting the modernization of the water sector, as a crucial step towards the provision of primary services and the facilitation of sustainable development within the Strip," Fedele added.

Italy’s contribution will support the Palestinian Authority's priority activities in the water sector, specifically reforms and investments to achieve improved access to safe drinking water in Gaza through the Associated Works Project.

This is part of the Water Security Development Program, a long-term engagement of the international community. With the Gaza Central Desalination Plant at its core, this program aims to improve the quantity and quality of water available to households and firms in the Gaza Strip, boosting public health outcomes and economic development prospects of Gaza residents and ultimately their quality of life.

“With this grant, Italy is sending a strong signal of support to the Palestinian people for the development of its infrastructure during these difficult times of COVID crisis and fiscal stress. This funding will be critical to Gaza’s recovery and future development as it targets a vital sector of safe water and reliable water supplies,” said Ivo Imparato, PID Program Manager at the World Bank.

The PID Fund was established in 2012 with the objective of improving the coverage, quality, and sustainability of infrastructure in the Palestinian territories through financial and technical support in the energy, water, and urban development sectors.

With the new contribution, the total amount allocated to the PID Fund has reached about US$ 278 million. In addition to Italy, donors contributing to the fund include the governments of Australia, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.