Khaberni - The Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services, Jorge Moreira da Silva, warned that the reconstruction of Gaza cannot be delayed, following his return from his third mission to the sector devastated by two years of war waged by Israel.
While welcoming the launch of the second phase of the American plan to stop the firing in Gaza as a "historic moment," da Silva emphasized the need to act quickly in facing the "total destruction" that has afflicted the sector.
In a talk to a limited number of journalists, da Silva described residents living in "inhumane" conditions, citing the absence of sewage treatment, severe shortages of electricity, and cases of people living in partially destroyed buildings at risk of collapse.
AFP journalists in Gaza also confirm a sharp deterioration in the humanitarian situation.
The Israeli war on the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, caused extensive destruction in the sector, which has been besieged since 2007.
Da Silva reminded that the United Nations, the European Union, and the World Bank had estimated the needs at more than $52 billion.
Among the challenges pointed out by the UN official, there are 60 million tons of rubble in the sector, covering "unexploded ordnances, hazardous waste, and unfortunately, human bodies."
He listed among the priorities the availability of fuel on a regular basis, an essential resource in Gaza that powers the electricity generators providing energy to most parts of the sector, in addition to the removal of unexploded ordnance, and the rebuilding of water supply networks.
He also emphasized the necessity of lifting the restrictions on the entry of aid, which is something that non-governmental organizations working in Gaza, which have been complaining for months about difficulties in bringing in the necessary equipment, have been demanding.
