Palestinian Refugees Donate to Survivors
of Hurricane Katrina

Press Advisory
For Immediate Release
13 September 2005

Ramallah, Occupied West Bank

Palestinian refugees, moved by the plight of survivors of Hurricane Katrina will present US Consul-General, Jake Wallace, with a $10,000 donation to the American Red Cross. The donation will be given today (13 September 2005) at 12 noon at the President’s Office in Ramallah. Dr. Rafiq Husseini, Chief of Staff of President Mahmoud Abbas will offer the donation on behalf of the President and Palestinian refugees. The donation will be earmarked to those survivors most affected by the Hurricane – the displaced poor, elderly and disabled. Money was recently collected by Palestinian refugees in the refugee camps of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Commenting on the donation, President Abbas notes, “On behalf of the Palestinian people and, in particular, the refugee communities of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, I wish to express our deepest sympathy with the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. With our humble donation, we feel it is important to show our concern since Palestinians know all too well the pain and hardship caused by being a refugee. We pray that they will soon be able to return to their homes.”