The Palestinian Public Works and Housing Minister, Ahed Bseiso, announced on Thursday that clearing the rubble in Gaza following the recent conflict could take three to five years if sufficient funding and equipment are secured.
In an interview with the Palestinian News Agency (WAFA), Bseiso emphasized that the timeline is contingent upon acquiring the necessary resources, including specialized equipment for detecting explosives, as well as facilities for transporting and recycling debris.
\"Our ministry is coordinating with various organizations, including the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), to initiate projects aimed at reopening roads and processing rubble,\" Bseiso said.
The next phase, according to Bseiso, will focus on removing debris from 150 public buildings, such as schools, hospitals, and mosques, and ensuring roadways are accessible.
A comprehensive assessment based on 250,000 damage reports from residents has been completed. \"We have established a task force to address the situation in both the West Bank and Gaza,\" he added.
Bseiso estimated that approximately 400,000 housing units have been completely or partially destroyed, highlighting the urgent need to provide 200,000 new units in collaboration with international donors.
To address the immediate housing crisis, the ministry plans to collaborate with partners to repair partially damaged homes and offer temporary accommodation for those who have lost their homes entirely. Families currently sheltering with relatives will receive financial support.
The United Nations estimates that more than 50 million tonnes of rubble need to be cleared in Gaza, a region home to over two million people. The cost of the removal is projected to be around $1.2 billion.
Gaza's Government Media Office, in its first assessment following the ceasefire, reported that 88 percent of the Gaza Strip was damaged during the conflict, with initial losses estimated at over $38 billion.
Reference(s):
Gaza rubble could be cleared 'in 3-5 years with sufficient resources'
cgtn.com
