Ministry of agriculture hands out financial aid to farmers and fishermen

[ 27/04/2009 - 09:11 AM ]

GAZA, (PIC)-- The Palestinian ministry of agriculture on Sunday handed out, during a ceremony held in Gaza, financial assistance worth $1,000,000 to Palestinian fishermen as well as farmers whose plantations, livestock or wells were devastated by the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip. During the ceremony which was attended by representative of the premier Ziad Zaza and a number of lawmakers, Dr. Mohamed Al-Agha, the minister of agriculture, said that this assistance was provided by the Palestinian government as urgent relief to those affected by the Israeli war, promising that this step would not be the last one. Dr. Agha noted that what the government provides is classified as aid and subsidies, not as recompense because the compensation is the responsibility of the Israeli occupation authority which destroyed and wreaked havoc in Gaza. The minister underlined that the direct damage and losses of the agricultural sector is estimated at more than $174,000,000 other than the indirect losses which amount to $413,000,000. The minister highlighted that his ministry adopted the strategy of self-reliance to achieve some kind of food security in light of the wanton siege on Gaza. For his part, Zaza affirmed that the Palestinian government in Gaza provided more than $65,000,000 to support various sectors affected by the Israeli war including the agricultural sector that received considerable attention with the aim of reviving it. The official pointed out that the government in cooperation with local and international organizations would work on removing the debris and re-paving the streets and agricultural roads. At the end of the ceremony, the Palestinian farmers and fishermen received checks payable by the post offices in Gaza.