New York, Feb 18 (Petra) – The United Nations, the European Union, and the World Bank released the "Rapid Interim Damage and Needs Assessment Report" on Tuesday, covering the period from October 2023 to October 2024.

The report highlights that the housing sector requires the largest share of recovery efforts, accounting for 30% of total needs. It also underscores significant funding requirements for the health, trade, industry, agriculture, and food systems sectors, given the extensive damage they have sustained and their critical economic and social importance. The education sector alone requires an estimated $3.8 billion for recovery and reconstruction.

Over the next three months, stabilizing essential services and laying the foundation for long-term recovery will require an estimated $20 billion in funding.

UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Muhannad Hadi, stated that the total financial estimate in the report reflects infrastructure damage of approximately $29.9 billion, along with economic and social losses estimated at around $19.1 billion, in addition to other recovery-related needs.

Hadi stressed the importance of using this opportunity to secure a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, noting that Palestinians will require collective efforts to address the immense challenges of recovery and reconstruction.

"A sustainable recovery process must restore hope, dignity, and livelihoods for two million people in Gaza," Hadi said. "Achieving this will require unwavering commitment from the international community, a broad coalition of donors, and innovative financing mechanisms."

He reaffirmed the UN’s readiness to support the Palestinian people in both humanitarian relief and the future recovery and rebuilding process.

//Petra// AF

18/02/2025 23:12:12