The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the implementing agency for many United Nations development and humanitarian initiatives in conflict, post-conflict, and emergency environments, is upgrading Palestine’s Al Mintar/Karni Border Crossing project with six new buses sponsored by UAE-based Emaar Properties.
The journey of the buses – four 80-seater and two 30-seater models – will begin from Dubai and will pass through Saudi Arabia and Jordan before handover to General Mosbah Al Buheisi of the Palestinian Presidential Guard, responsible for Karni Crossing. General Al Buheisi will officially accept the vehicles on behalf of President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian people at a dedication ceremony.
The Al Mintar/Karni Crossing is a cargo-oriented, commercial border crossing supporting trade activities in Gaza.
The vehicles will transport border personnel to and from Gaza’s most critical cargo crossing where security-related restrictions in the past have affected the flow of goods and supplies into Gaza. Initiatives that ensure the presence of border personnel, and thereby support security at the crossing point, will promote the economic benefits afforded by the facility to the local population.
Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom are improving the Karni Crossing in accordance with a November 15, 2005 bipartite Agreement on Movement and Access. The agreement seeks to advance peaceful economic development and improve the humanitarian situation.
“The Karni programme is critical to the economic viability of the Palestinian Authority and to the survival and health of the Palestinian people,” said Mr. Phil Lewis, Regional Director of the UNOPS Middle East Office. “Karni is a major import point for humanitarian goods, and the aggregate base for use in rebuilding Gaza.”
General Mosbah said: “We thank Emaar Properties for their support to our development initiative, which will help the Palestinian Authority facilitate trade as required by the Agreement on Movement and Access.”
Mr Arif Amiri, Director - Investor Relations, Corporate Governance & Business Development, Emaar Properties, said: “We recognize that Karni Crossing plays a key role in the rebuilding of Palestine. Emaar’s support for the Al Mintar/Karni Crossing project underscores our commitment to the Palestinian population and the Arab world at large.”
The UNOPS Middle East Office in Dubai is located at the International Humanitarian City (IHC), the global humanitarian hub created by the Government of Dubai and chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein. IHC provides local and international humanitarian actors with facilities and services that support aid and development efforts and synergies.
Dubai is a key staging place for humanitarian efforts, offering appropriate support and infrastructure at an established transit hub serving Europe, Africa, and Asia. HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein foresees significant growth in regional humanitarian potential due to rapidly growing demands of the global community and Dubai's ongoing efforts to meet these and add value to the humanitarian process.
© 2007 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
