RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- The Palestinian Authority will transfer welfare payments to needy families in Gaza and the West Bank in the coming days despite the economic crisis, a government official said Wednesday.

Rami Mahdawi, PR director at the PA finance ministry, said the funds would be paid to families in Gaza on Saturday and in the West Bank on Sunday.

The welfare costs are covered by the PA, the World Bank, and the European Union, he said.

Welfare benefits around 97,000 families and is paid quarterly.