Work on three new schools in Gaza, Jordan and Egypt funded by Bahrain's government is almost complete.

The schools should be open for business within the next six months, according to Royal Charity Organisation (RCO) secretary-general Dr Mustafa Al Sayed - who said that the Bahrain Public Library in East Jerusalem would also be opened as soon as possible, reported the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

Bahrain has stepped up its efforts to help people in conflict-torn countries, especially through funding education projects for children, said Dr Al Sayed.

"These projects are funded by His Majesty King Hamad who is keen to support countries facing natural disaster or conflict," he said.

"His Majesty continues to stress the importance of sustainable development by providing education to underprivileged children. He wants to give them hope and a second chance by funding the 'Bahrain Schools' that are being constructed in Gaza, Jordan and Egypt."

Dr Al Sayed said the school in Egypt was being constructed in Al Sharqia Governorate, while the $2 million education complex being built in Irbid, Jordan, would help both Syrian refugees and Jordanians.

"These schools will have classrooms for elementary and secondary levels and be equipped with modern facilities to help students complete their education," he said.

"The Bahrain Public Library Project in East Jerusalem is also ready and will be soon opened by myself or RCO Board of Trustees chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa."

"We are just completing the formalities to go there and open it."

The RCO partnered with the United Nations Development Programme for the library project, which is in a refurnished three-storey historical building in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Staff from the Al Quds University will also be trained in library management as part of the scheme.

The facility will serve thousands of people and will be electronically linked to Bahrain's National Library in a bid to give Palestinian schoolchildren easier access to reading material.

Dr Al Sayed said that, at present, the RCO was working on many projects in different countries in collaboration with both non-governmental organisations and United Nations agencies.

"Thousands of Palestinian refugees and many children have benefited from the Al Manama School in Tel Al Hawwa, Gaza, that has been visited by ministers and top officials, all of whom have praised Bahrain's efforts to help the international community," he said.

UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon and former British prime minister Tony Blair were among the top officials who visited the four-storey school building that serves more than 4,000 students in 52 classrooms.

It is equipped with a library, sports fields, a park, scientific and computer laboratories and a classroom for students with learning difficulties.

Aid

The GDN reported in July last year that the school was being used to house thousands of refugees displaced by Israel's six-week-long ground and air assault that left more than 2,000 Palestinians dead.

Dr Al Sayed further highlighted RCO's work in the Zaatari Camp for Syrian refugees in Jordan and the nationwide drive launched last month to collect aid for those affected by the earthquake in Nepal.

The RCO also sent a 700-tonne consignment of aid to Yemen containing food, medicines and tents. - TradeArabia News Service