UNDP: Clearing most of the rubble in the Gaza Strip is possible in seven years under right conditions

UNDP adopts a comprehensive, full-cycle approach to rubble removal, from collection to crushing to recycling, ensuring that debris becomes a resource for reconstruction. Crushed rubble is already being used to smooth roadways and to create levelled sites for temporary shelters. This becomes even more critical as winter approaches, bringing heavy rain and flooding. Communities, individuals, and businesses across Gaza have submitted hundreds of requests for crushed rubble to support immediate needs.

UNDP’s experience in Gaza is extensive. Following previous conflicts in 2009, 2014, and 2021, UNDP-led efforts cleared more than 2.8 million tonnes of debris. 

Since January 2025, even as the war raged, UNDP teams have cleared more than 120,000 tonnes of rubble. Remarkably, within just one month of the ceasefire, over 50,000 tonnes were removed, reflecting a rapid and significant scale-up of operations. 

“We are at Hayah Kitchen, one of the community field kitchens in the Gaza Strip,” explains Ahmed Zaanain, part of the outreach team at World Central Kitchen. “Our main goal is to provide hot meals to people in Gaza. This place used to be an empty plot of land, but today it is an organized and functioning kitchen. UNDP supported us by paving the area with crushed rubble, in addition to the road leading to the kitchen. Thanks to these efforts, the kitchen became accessible as we are producing 80,000 meals a day and scaling up to reach 150,000.”

Removing their remains with dignity will require careful, specialized attention. UNDP has partnered with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) to conduct risk assessments ahead of debris-clearing operations, while contractors and workers receive explosive ordnance training to ensure safety. 

Debris also poses significant health and environmental hazards, often contaminated with explosives, asbestos, industrial by-products, and medical waste. UNDP and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) co-chair the Gaza Debris Management Working Group, ensuring a coordinated agency response. 

“We have around 150,000 inhabitants, and all of us benefited from UNDP’s support,” said Dr. Mahmoud Kullab, Head of the Neighbours Committee in Al Amal and G-Block Camp. “UNDP helped us by reopening roads and providing water trucking services after clearing the rubble from this very area. Thanks to their efforts, the main road connecting the Palestinian Red Crescent Hospital with Nasser Hospital is now open again, an essential lifeline for everyone in the community.” 

Recent UNDP efforts contributed to reopening the main road leading to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. 

Now, UNDP technical teams on the ground project that most debris could be cleared within seven years, but only under the right conditions. This requires unimpeded access to priority locations, permits for heavy machinery and specialized equipment, consistent fuel entry, and above all, a stable operating environment. 

UNDP estimates that $110 million is required now to put efforts on track to meet this seven-year target. This week, crushing operations accelerated at UNDP’s Al Amal crushing site in Khan Younis, where the crushing machine pictured will process 1,000 tonnes of debris per day. 

“As the UN continues to work to address the immediate humanitarian needs, we also recognize a long road ahead to bring back safety, dignity, stability, and opportunity to all Palestinians who have lost everything in this conflict. UNDP stands ready to support the Palestinian people and calls for immediate international support to help restore their lives and livelihoods.” – Haoliang Xu, UNDP Acting Administrator and Associate Administrator

UNDP is equipped to immediately scale up rubble removal and debris management operations across Gaza and has developed detailed operational plans to meet the challenge.