UN Photo/Shareef Sarhan
A United Nations assessment has concluded that reconstructing the Gaza Strip will require a staggering $70 billion in financing after two years of war. Jaco Cilliers, the UN Development Programme’s Special Representative for the Palestinian People, announced the figure, noting that the destruction across the enclave has reached 84%, and in some areas like Gaza City, is as high as 92%. The UNDP stated it cannot provide a precise timeline for reconstruction but warned it could take “decades,” depending on the funding received.
The massive reconstruction effort faces immediate hurdles. Aid agencies report that far too little humanitarian aid is entering Gaza, with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirming that aid has not increased to the necessary 600 trucks per day. The problem is attributed to security concerns and not all crossings being open. Despite the challenges, the UNDP reported “very good indications” of willingness to contribute to the costs from potential donors, including Arab states, European nations, and the United States.
