Schools

Projects in the field of education have been one of the top priorities of Islamic Relief. Improving the educational environment has always been an essential goal of Islamic Relief. Hence, a huge project that is funded by Qatar Foundation’s Reach Out To Asia (ROTA) and Islamic Relief donors in UK and Middle East has been launched. The total number of schools that are going to benefit from this vital project is 22 schools.

The total cost of the project is $5.7 million; it is going to be used to install new doors and windows, rebuild walls, add new electrical fixtures and most importantly ensure establishing a safe atmosphere for children at their schools.

In order to help creating model schools, the project is going to establish libraries, science laboratories, technology rooms and computer training facilities as well as psychosocial support and counseling. The project is expected to be achieved through carrying out 9 packages in the mid of 2011.

Kindergartens

Islamic Relief has established many remarkable projects in the field of kindergartens after Gaza War. These projects include renovating, improving and developing kindergartens all over Gaza Strip. Since children constitute a great part of the interests of Islamic Relief, it started a comprehensive plan to develop and renovate the kindergartens in Gaza Strip. A process of assessment was carried out and 180 kindergartens were assessed in accordance with the Ministry of Education. The kindergartens are located in the 6 governorates. Out of those 180 kindergartens 90 were chosen according to the criteria Islamic Relief has previously set.  The chosen kindergartens achieved the highest scores. They are distributed as following: 17 kindergartens in the North, 10 in the East, 15 in the Middle Area, 14 in Khan Yunis and 14 in Rafah. The 90 kindergartens were equipped with Toys and Books Libraries. 20 kindergartens from East and West were provided by Educational Corners, which is a modern system that is used in many countries all over the world. The teachers received an intensive training course so that they can deal with the new programmes.

Concerning renovation and maintenance, Islamic Relief chose 20 kindergartens that are in bad conditions to be rehabilitated and renovated. An agreement was signed with the kindergartens so that they keep work as kindergartens for two years at least. 12 kindergartens were financed by IR-UK and the other 8 were financed by IR-Deutschland.  The contractor is going to start working this week.

Hospitals

In the field of health, Islamic Relief launched a project for: "Supporting Intensive Care Units and Emergency Departments in Gaza Strip Hospitals" to rehabilitate and maintain Intensive Care Units and Emergency Departments in 4 hospitals in Gaza Strip. The hospitals are located in the North of Gaza and in the Middle Area. It started on the 14th of March 2010 and it is in the last stages. The project is funded by IR-Malaysia. The front of Internal Medicine has recently been maintained and rehabilitated.  Another project which has been achieved recently is rehabilitation and maintenance of Al Naser Hospital for Children in Gaza Strip. The hospital is supposed to be removed and rebuilt; nevertheless, because of the blockade on Gaza, it was difficult to rebuild it again. In February 2009 the process started. It includes: electricity, painting, tiling, chairs, beds, mattresses, fans, conditions, desks, wardrobes and cupboards for medicine.

Clinics

Concerning clinics, Islamic Relief has carried out two main projects after war. In the first one 8 clinics were rehabilitated. Work includes maintaining of buildings. The clinics are located in Gaza, Middle Area, Khan Yunis and Rafah. The project, which started in May 2009, was achieved in late 2009.  The other project is for rehabilitating Primary Care Clinics in Gaza Strip. It started in October and it is expected to be achieved at the end of 2010. The project includes maintaining, equipping and furnishing 38 clinics. 30 clinics are funded by IR-UK with a total cost of $1 million and the other 8 clinics are funded by Islamic Cultural Center in Panama.

Homes

Islamic Relief has launched a project to maintain houses for the poorest people in Gaza. It is one of the most vital projects; it is funded by IR Germany and IR UK. The project is considered very essential due to the fact that it includes repair and maintenance, walls building, wooden and metal doors and windows installation, internal plastering and painting. The houses to be covered by this project are 176 houses for the poorest, needy and most affected people in Gaza Strip.

Social workers at Islamic Relief worked hard so that they were able to choose the beneficiary families carefully and accurately in accordance with the criteria of Islamic Relief. The first stage has started by renovating 37 homes in Beith Lahia, northern Gaza Strip. This stage will be totally achieved by June 2010 then poor homes in other areas will be targeted.