Gaza
Ashim Steiner, head of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), says that during the 15-month war between Israel and Hamas, all the development that had happened in Gaza for 60 years has come to an end. Now work will have to be done to compensate for more than 60 years of development there.
Following the start of the ceasefire on January 19, the focus has now shifted to helping people in Gaza get their lives back on track and rebuilding there. Now the focus is on how people’s lives in Gaza can return to their previous state.
According to United Nations estimates, more than two-thirds of the infrastructure has been destroyed due to Israeli airstrikes and ground incursions and about 42 million tons of debris are scattered in the Gaza Strip.
According to Hamas’ health ministry, 46,000 people have died in Gaza due to the war. As the work of identification of dead bodies intensifies, this number may increase further.
The United Nations also says that the process of rebuilding the society there may take decades and its cost may reach up to 80 billion dollars.
The situation in Gaza has deteriorated
Steiner is the head of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). It is a United Nations agency that is helping Palestinians, especially in improving infrastructure in the Palestinian territories controlled by Hamas.
“Our assessment is that the development work that has taken place over more than 60 years has been completely wiped out,” he told DW in an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. “67 percent of the infrastructure has been either damaged or destroyed.”
He said, “We are dealing with a situation where most Gazans will either return to buildings too damaged to live in or will simply live near piles of debris. This debris is dangerous. There may be bodies there which have not been removed yet. Additionally, there may be unexploded explosives and landmines. This is a very toxic environment.”
huge loss of life and property
Steiner says that there is a need to deliver essential food items and medical supplies to Gaza as soon as possible. Additionally, initial efforts will require the rapid restoration of critical infrastructure, such as solar-powered water treatment plants. After this, the work of removing debris and rebuilding homes, schools and hospitals can begin.
According to Steiner, along with rebuilding the infrastructure, mental health assistance will have to be provided to the people. Apart from this, they will have to help in finding their relatives.
He said, “If you see what kind of pain people have suffered, you will know that not only the infrastructure has been damaged, but people have lost thousands of their relatives.”
He further says, “This is a huge blow to the people of Gaza. It will take them many years to recover from this. Perhaps many children have now become orphans. “Strangers have given them shelter in their tents and are taking care of them.”
Reconstruction work is very difficult
For any reconstruction to begin, the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas must continue. “There is still a lot of concern,” Steiner said. Will the ceasefire continue? Will talks move forward on the second and third phases?
In fact, the second phase of the ceasefire includes a permanent end to the fighting, the release of remaining hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. There is a plan to rebuild Gaza in the third phase.
Steiner said that if the ceasefire holds, the international community has promised to provide help for initial humanitarian operations. However, the reconstruction of Gaza will require long-term support from UN member states and the private sector.
Steiner says, “Tens of billions of dollars will be required for the initial reconstruction and then this long-term process. For this, the international community will have to come forward and help. The private sector can also invest in this reconstruction work. Mobilizing resources for this huge initial reconstruction work over the next few years will be a huge challenge.”
