The OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) has awarded Islamic Relief (IR) $3 million (£1.5 million) for its Gaza Strip Appeal.

The grant is part of an overall $5 million OFID is distributing to 21 NGOs working in Gaza, with the remaining $2 million being divided equally between the 20 other NGOs.

“There is not a single sector in the Gaza Strip that has not been devastated by the imposition of severe restrictions by the Israeli Authorities,” OFID said in a statement, adding that hospitals, construction projects and water and sanitation were among the services worse affected.

The $3 million will go towards IR’s current £5 million Gaza Strip Appeal, which is providing food packages, blankets, cooking sets, hygiene kits, emergency gas lights, drugs and other urgent medical equipment to the people of Gaza.

“We all felt very happy when we got the news. We are very grateful to OFID for this generous grant, which comes at a very critical time for the Palestinians in Gaza,” said International Affairs Representative for IR Geneva, Mr Mehdi Ben M’rad, who was responsible for securing the grant.

“The grant covers about a third of the full appeal amount and will help IR address the most urgent basic needs of the deprived people of Gaza,” Ben M’rad continued, adding that IR is now in the process of deciding how the funds will be allocated.

OFID is an international development agency which aims to foster social and economic progress in the developing world through the provision of concessional financing for developing countries.