UNDP: Gaza Has Lost 70 Years of Development, Early Recovery Must Begin Now

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has issued a stark assessment of the devastation in Gaza, warning that the territory has lost nearly 70 years of development progress and calling for urgent international support to lay the foundations for Palestinian-led early recovery.

Following a visit to Gaza, UNDP described destruction "beyond imagination," with 1.9 million people displaced and families facing immense loss and hardship.

"The destruction was overwhelming, on a scale beyond imagination," UNDP said. "The human toll is heavy, with lives lost and families in mourning. It is heartbreaking."

Yet alongside the devastation, UNDP emphasized the resilience of Palestinians and their readiness to rebuild.

"The resilience of the Palestinian people is just as clear," the agency noted.

UNDP Scaling Up Early Recovery on the Ground

Operating under its General Assembly mandate, UNDP said it remains fully engaged in Gaza despite two years of war and is now working to kickstart a Palestinian-owned and Palestinian-led recovery process.

"We are now working to kickstart a Palestinian owned and led early recovery, providing basic services and boosting the businesses that are ready to scale up again," UNDP said.

The agency described Gaza as being in a "critical phase," where early recovery efforts will be essential to pave the way toward wider stabilization.

Livelihoods and Jobs: Thousands of Employment Opportunities Supported

UNDP stressed that restoring livelihoods is central to helping displaced families survive day-to-day.

"Supporting livelihoods is critical to ensuring that people can make a daily wage," the agency said.

UNDP reported that it has already supported:

• 6,000 employment opportunities across Gaza since October 2023

• A further 3,000 jobs planned in 2026

The agency has also mapped investment opportunities for small and medium enterprises, aiming to revive economic activity and help businesses restart.

"Our recent mapping of investment opportunities for small and medium enterprises lays the groundwork to boost economic expansion, and the businesses are ready," UNDP said.

Restoring Basic Services: Debris Removal and Waste Collection

UNDP highlighted the urgent need to restore basic municipal services as a cornerstone of public health and recovery.

Providing debris removal and solid waste collection is "critical to public health and recovery," the agency said.

Among current efforts, UNDP has begun clearing a massive solid waste pile at Firas Market in Gaza City, with the goal of eventually reopening the market as a vibrant economic hub.

Daily debris collection and crushing operations are running at maximum capacity, though UNDP warned that additional machinery access is vital to scale up the work.

Shelter Crisis: 200,000 Relief Housing Units Needed

UNDP warned that shelter remains one of Gaza's most pressing needs, with millions still living in tents.

"We cannot face another winter with 1.9 million displaced Palestinians continuing to live in tents," the agency said.

An estimated 200,000 relief housing units or prefabricated homes are needed to support displaced families.

UNDP is implementing a "neighborhood approach," coordinating with other UN agencies to deliver shelter alongside education, health services, and basic infrastructure as an integrated package.

Governance and Institutional Support

Beyond humanitarian recovery, UNDP said it stands ready to support legitimate and internationally recognized governance mechanisms in line with UN mandates and resolutions.

"Our objective is to help restore accountable, inclusive, and transparent structures that can effectively serve the population," the agency said.

Through principled engagement and coordinated partnerships, UNDP aims to strengthen public trust, stability, and a pathway toward democratic governance.

"UNDP Stayed and Delivered"

UNDP underscored that it has maintained operations throughout the conflict, crediting the perseverance of its national staff.

"Through two years of war, UNDP stayed and delivered," the agency said.

Now, it is scaling up its presence and assistance, reaffirming its commitment to supporting Palestinians as Gaza enters a decisive recovery phase.