Davos:
The recent conflict between Israel and Hamas has caused severe setbacks to the development of Gaza, setting it back by 60 years. The United Nations has highlighted the immense challenges in mobilizing the necessary funds for reconstruction, estimating that tens of billions of dollars will be required for the task.
According to the head of the UN Development Programme, around two-thirds of buildings in the Gaza Strip have been either destroyed or damaged. The process of removing an estimated 42 million tonnes of rubble is expected to be dangerous and complex.
Achim Steiner, in an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, stated, “Probably between 65 percent to 70 percent of buildings in Gaza have either been entirely destroyed or damaged. We estimate that roughly 60 years of development have been lost in this conflict over 15 months.”
The destruction goes beyond physical infrastructure, with essential services like sewage treatment systems and freshwater supply systems being severely affected. The UN official emphasized the human toll of the crisis, stating that “Human desperation is not just something that you capture in statistics.”
With the ceasefire in place, the focus is currently on providing life-saving aid. Steiner mentioned the volatile nature of the situation and the challenges in setting a timeframe for reconstruction. He emphasized that the process will take years and will involve rebuilding not just physical infrastructure but also the economy and social fabric of the region.
The cost of physical reconstruction alone is expected to run into tens of billions of dollars, presenting a significant financial challenge. The massive volume of rubble, which may increase further, poses additional hurdles for the reconstruction effort.
Steiner highlighted the need for temporary infrastructure to address the immediate needs of the population, as most schools and hospitals have been severely damaged or destroyed. The process of reconstruction will involve complex tasks like rubble removal, recycling materials, and ensuring safety from unexploded ordnance.
As the region grapples with the aftermath of the conflict, the international community faces the daunting task of mobilizing resources on a massive scale to support the reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
