USD 3 million Contribution from the Government of Norway through UNDP to Support Gaza
Jerusalem, 19 February 2015 – The Government of Norway and UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People signed a USD 3 million (NOK 23,000,000) agreement to fund shelter assistance packages for non-refugees as part of their on-going support to early recovery efforts in the Gaza Strip.
“It is extremely important that donors provide funding enabling internally displaced persons in Gaza to find transitional shelter while their homes are rebuilt,” Mr Hans Jacob Frydenlund, Government of Norway Representative highlighted.
Palestinian non-refugee families whose homes have been damaged and destroyed during the 51-day conflict in the Gaza Strip will receive rental allowance to address their accommodation needs.
The contribution from the Government of Norway will support atleast 1,300 non-refugee families in the Gaza Strip with a rental allowance for the period of six months, and will prioritize female-headed households and large families residing in schools.
“Palestinian families displaced in Gaza are facing harsh living conditions, especially during this winter season,” said Frode Mauring, UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator. “Until dwellings are rebuilt, it is necessary to provide transitional shelter to families whose homes are inhabitable,” he added.
It is worth noting that prior to the latest escalation, the Gaza Strip was suffering from a deficit of over 81,000 housing units, in addition to poor health services and overcrowded schools. A joint UNDP and Ministry of Public Works Assessment found that 28,499 non-refugee households suffered damage during the 2014 hostilities. Of these, 5,016 dwellings were uninhabitable; 1,575 families have houses, which suffered severe damage; and 3,441 families have their homes totally destroyed. UNDP estimates that it will cost approximately USD 270 million to rebuild all 28,499 homes.e
The contribution received from the Government of Norway will complement UNDP’s recovery efforts in the Gaza Strip to help the Palestinian population restore their livelihoods, create jobs and sustain a living.
Contact Information
Dania Darwish, Communications Specialist, Tel. +972-2-6268229 – e-mail: dania.darwish@undp.org. For more information on UNDP/PAPP see http://www.ps.undp.org.
Document Sources: UNDP Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (PAPP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Country: Norway
Subject: Armed conflict, Assistance, Gaza Strip, Humanitarian relief, Internally displaced persons, Living conditions, Shelter
Publication Date: 19/02/2015