Israel Provides $25 Million
to UNDP for Gaza Redevelopment Project
(December 22, 2005)
The
United Nations Development Programme’s
Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian
People announced that it received
a $25 million grant from the Government
of Israel for the clearance and rehabilitation
of sites once occupied by the evacuated Israeli settlements in the Gaza
Strip.
UNDP was asked to undertake the rehabilitation
project by the Government of Israel, the Palestinian
Authority and the Office of the
Special Envoy for the Quartet, James Wolfensohn.
With more than 1.2 million tons of debris
and rubble to be cleared and recycled, the
project will cost $24.7 million, which
will be provided by the Government of Israel.
It will take an estimated 18 months to complete,
and will employ several hundred Palestinian
workers.
UNDP has promised to move as rapidly as
possible in clearing the area to
give Palestinians the opportunity to begin
rebuilding on the evacuated sites by June
2006. The concrete and metal debris cleared
from the site will be milled and recycled
for use as road paving and building materials,
a process that is expected to take a year.
The $25 million grant is believed to be
the first donation from the Government of
Israel to a UN agency for an economic development
project in the Palestinian territories.
Sources: UNDP |