Nine countries contribute US$7 billion for Gaza

Washington (ANTARA) - US President Donald Trump announced that nine countries have contributed more than US$7 billion (approximately Rp112 trillion) towards a humanitarian aid package for Gaza.

Trump made the announcement at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace (BoP) in Washington DC, United States, on Thursday (19/2).

He detailed that the contributing countries include Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Kuwait.

“I am pleased to announce that Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Kuwait have contributed more than US$7 billion to the aid package,” Trump said, as quoted by RIA Novosti.

Trump added that the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) is also raising US$2 billion to support recovery efforts in Gaza.

The funds are intended to support humanitarian aid efforts for the people of Gaza in accordance with the mandate and mechanisms established by the United Nations (UN).

Previously, more than 20 countries were expected to attend the Board of Peace (BoP) meeting established by US President Donald Trump, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday.

In January, Trump announced the formation of the Board of Peace and invited approximately 50 countries to join. According to the White House, the organisation aims to support the reconstruction of Gaza and the path towards peace.