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News in brief

Gaza Faces Unprecedented Rebuilding Task in Wake of Conflict

Tuesday 16 July 2024 - 14:40

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In a sobering assessment of Gaza's post-conflict landscape, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has unveiled a report detailing the monumental task of rebuilding the besieged enclave. The findings paint a picture of widespread devastation that will require decades of effort and billions of dollars to address.

According to the UNEP report, the conflict has left an indelible mark on Gaza's infrastructure, with a staggering 137,297 buildings damaged. This figure represents more than half of all homes in the region, underscoring the pervasive nature of the destruction.

The cleanup operation alone presents a daunting challenge. An estimated 40 million tons of debris litter the landscape, a volume so immense that its removal could take up to 15 years, even if efforts were to commence immediately. The Guardian reports that this undertaking would require a fleet of over a hundred trucks and carry a price tag between $500 and $600 million.

Delving deeper into the housing crisis, the UNEP assessment reveals that approximately 25% of homes have been completely obliterated, while 10% have sustained severe damage. An additional third of the housing stock has been moderately impacted. Even under the most optimistic scenarios, experts project that the reconstruction of homes could extend well into 2040, with associated costs potentially reaching a staggering $40 billion.

The management of rubble presents its own set of challenges. UN estimates suggest that landfill sites covering 250 to 500 dunams will be necessary to accommodate the debris, though this figure could be reduced depending on recycling capabilities.

The devastation extends far beyond residential areas. Critical infrastructure, including schools, healthcare facilities, roads, and sewage systems, has suffered extensive damage. A UN official stationed in Gaza described the scene in stark terms: "The damage to the infrastructure is insane. There isn't a single building in Khan Yunis that hasn't been damaged." The official went on to note that the use of 907 kg bombs has fundamentally altered the region's topography.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reports that the costs associated with reconstruction are escalating at an alarming rate, with current estimates more than doubling those made in January. The conflict has effectively erased nearly 44 years of progress, regressing Gaza's health, education, and economic development to levels not seen since the 1980s.

As the international community grapples with the scale of this humanitarian crisis, the UNEP report serves as a stark reminder of the long road ahead. The reconstruction of Gaza represents not just a logistical and financial challenge of unprecedented proportions, but also a test of global resolve in the face of immense human suffering.