NRC and Qatar Charity has signed a framework agreement as partners in humanitarian work. The first initiative is a rebuilding project in Gaza. An agreement worth 10 million USD is made to rehabilitate and rebuild shelters and local public buildings, which have been destroyed during the warfare, and assist the civilians in Gaza.

The rebuilding project is estimated to take two years and focuses on rehabilitation and building of permanent shelters and local public buildings. The project prioritises education and health institutions and access to work. In the first phase NRC and Qatar Charity aim to build near 300 private houses which will provide shelter for about 2200 persons.

"A rapid rebuilding process is important to provide shelter for thousands of families who lost their homes during the war," NRC Secretary General, Elisabeth Rasmusson said. " It is urgent to open the Gaza border areas to provide building material and cement ."

At least 11 000 houses and public buildings were seriously damaged because of the warfare on Gaza, while between 3300 and 4300 buildings were completely destroyed.

Strategic agreement 10 million USD is the largest single contribution ever to a NRC program. It is also the first time NRC enters a broad strategic agreement with an Islamic organisation.

"NRC are working together with several foreign organisations, but until now it lacked strategic partners in the Middle East and in the Islamic world. I am proud that we now initiate an agreement with Qatar Charity, which can increase our credibility and acceptance as a Western humanitarian organisation working in Islamic countries," Rasmusson said.

Qatar Charity is an international, Islamic organisation which implement their humanitarian and development work either through support of international organisations or independent field activities. The organisation has activities in more than 22 countries in Africa, Asia and Europe and operates in several of NRC's programme countries.

Shared values "As an Islamic organisation it is important to us to work internationally and cooperate with foreign NGOs. This agreement may give our organisation increased credibility. We chose NRC because we have shared values in our humanitarian work," Director General of Qatar Charity Abdullah H. Al-Nameh said.

According to Al-Nameh Qatar Charity will not face any difficulties working together with an organisation from a Western country

"I believe both parties will benefit from this collaboration despite our differences. The agreement is based on equal respect, and we are happy to work with NRC," Al-Nameh said to NTB.