Cabinet reviews report on developing Bir al Abd town in Sinai

CAIRO – 29 November 2017: The Cabinet reviewed on Wednesday a comprehensive report on the duties carried out by various ministries and bodies with regard to developing the services provided to residents of al Rawda village and its neighboring regions in Bir al Abd town of North Sinai.

Addressing a press conference after the Cabinet meeting, Minister of Social Solidarity Ghada Wali said the death toll from the terrorist attack that targeted al Rawda mosque on Friday has risen to 310.

She added that a sum of EGP 50 million has been received from the Ministry of Finance to be disbursed as compensation to the village residents upon directives from President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi.

The amount will also be used for paving roads, street lighting, providing the residents with drinking water in addition to developing an overall vision on the economic and social projects that can serve Bir al Abd residents.

On that score, the minister noted that a periodic meeting is scheduled to be held as of next Sunday in order to follow up providing the related necessary resources as well as to coordinate with the civil society organizations in this respect.

She also added that a meeting will be held Wednesday with representatives of NGOs in order to draw up a workplan to improve potable water there.

Meanwhile, Wali said that 500 food packages have been provided to people in the village in cooperation with NGOs and civil society organizations.

As many as 15 psychologists for women and children were assigned by the Egyptian Red Crescent Society to visit the village along with 15 female social researchers from Arish and Ismailia, she said.

The minister also revealed that the North Sinai governorate has allocated EGP 10,000 for the family of each victim and EGP 5,000 for every injured.