Reconstruction efforts in Gaza continue as thousands of people will soon have access to building materials for urgent repairs to their homes following last summer’s conflict in the war-ravaged enclave, the UN special envoy in the region said. The UN estimates that over 100,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, affecting more than 600,000 people. Many people still lack access to the municipal water network, and blackouts of up to 18 hours per day are common.
In a statement released on 11 December 2014, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert Serry, noted that more than 20,000 homeowners are expected to be able to procure construction material by the end of December for critical repairs ahead of an expectedly cold winter.*
“This can only be the beginning of an effective process to rebuild Gaza,” read Serry’s statement which also stressed, however, that “much more needs to be done.”
Speaking to Gaza Ministers of the Government of National Consensus and interlocutors of the private sector, Serry emphasized the importance of their “direct engagement” to address large scale reconstruction challenges and to prioritize projects for this purpose through the pre-established UN-backed reconstruction mechanism.
More Than 2,100 Palestinians Killed Including Over 500 Children
According to a recent UN assessment, as it stands now, over 100,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, affecting more than 600,000 people. Many people still lack access to the municipal water network. Blackouts of up to 18 hours per day are common.
In addition, the violence killed more than 2,100 Palestinians, including more than 500 children, and more than 70 Israelis.
Despite the positive steps forward for many Gaza residents, Serry warned that the operating environment continued to face many challenges, including “a fragile and informal” ceasefire which has not yet solidified and a lack of empowerment of the Government of National Consensus in Gaza with no control over border crossings.
“These difficult issues, coupled with insufficient financial assistance from donors, have only worsened the atmosphere in an already devastated Gaza,” the Special Envoy continued.
Serry said he remained “gravely concerned about the dire situation” and planned to urge all stakeholders and the international community to “make good” on their calls to help Gaza when he visits the UN Security Council next week.
“This includes progress on all fronts, progress which must be made now lest we see Gaza fall back into yet another conflict,” he concluded. (*Source: UN).
2014 Human Wrongs Watch
