The Palestinian Territories' largest rehabilitation centre for disabled children is to open shortly with the help of the UAE Red Crescent Authority. The Dh11 million-centre has been named after Sheikha Fatima, who is the honorary chairwoman of the UAE Red Crescent Authority and whose contributions made the project possible, according to WAM, the state news agency. The UAE Red Crescent Authority handed over the building to the Palestinian minister of social affairs and agriculture, Mahmoud al Habash, at a ceremony held in the suburbs of Al Khalil last week.
Disabled children receive training at the Sheikha Fatima Rehabilitation Centre for Children to help them earn a living. The centre can train up to 200 children at a time. The UN Development Programme (UNDP) and International Labour Organisation supervised the project. At the ceremony, Mr Habash acknowledged the UAE's support of the Palestinian cause. He also praised the humanitarian stance of Sheikha Fatima and the UAE Red Crescent Authority. Khalid Shahwan, representative of the UNDP, said the centre was largest project the UNDP had supervised in the Palestinian Territories.
sbhattacharya@thenational.ae