The Gaza Community Mental Health Programme held today its General Assembly meeting with participation of 30 members and a representative of the Ministry of Interior at the Marna House Hotel in Gaza. At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Eyad El-Sarraj, President of GCMHP, welcomed the participants, expressing his sincere appreciation and gratitude to the participants. Dr. Sarraj mentioned that this meeting comes as we are suffering in Gaza under severe circumstances resulting from the oppression and siege that are destroying the Palestinian society; besides, the internal factional disputes which are all leading to deterioration in the human rights conditions in Palestine.
Dr. Ahmed Abu Tawahina, Director General of GCMHP, presented the narrative report of 2007, highlighting the activities of all programs and departments as per the strategic plan which includes children, women, capacity building, research, advocacy and lobbying, and human rights activities. A number of questions, comments and observation were raised by the participants ,and, in turn, which Dr. Ahmed presented clarifications and responses.
Further, Yosif Ghazali, the Financial Manager of GCMHP, presented the financial report 2007 in details highlighting all the disbursements and expenses and the comments of the auditing company. The participants recommended to the Board of Directors of GCMHP to start considering an increase in the income of GCMHP and coverage of expenses from earnings of certain activities in order to reduce dependency on outside aid.
At the end of the meeting, the participants approved both the narrative and financial report and endorsed Deloitte & Touche to be the auditing company for the year 2008. Moreover, 3 new members including Ms. Tagreed Khoudary, Ms. Amal Syam, and Mr. Isam Yonis were selected to be on the Board of Director to replace the resigned members.
Dr. Sarraj concluded the meeting and thanked the members of the General Assembly for their participation and fruitful discussion which contributed to the success of the meeting.