National Early Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza 2014-2017_FINAL...

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2.3.3 Reconstruction
Timeframe: Month 6 – Ongoing
Beyond the first two response phases, the Plan comprises
a major reconstruction effort across all sectors in order
to restore Gaza to “normalcy.” Services and infrastructure
in Gaza are largely non-functional, due to the massive
destruction of public and private infrastructure. It is thus
crucial to initiate reconstruction activities as early as
possible. Recognizing this, the Plan identifies time-sensitive
reconstruction interventions that must be dealt with rapidly
and fully, and which will be given top priority during the
early reconstruction phases.
The entire reconstruction effort will be underpinned by the
aspiration to “build back better.” A mere rebuilding of the
status quo or filling gaps left by the assault will not suffice.
In this sense, the reconstruction provides an opportunity to
revisit the needs of Gaza residents as they stand today, not
as they stood yesterday. We must set our aims on ensuring
conditions for lasting prosperity and wellbeing and creating
an enabling environment for their enterprise and industry to
flourish, and for people to live in dignity. We must also ensure
that the reconstruction directly addresses key restraints to
Gaza’s growth and some of the impending crises.
Bridging to Recovery Initiative
The Government believes that recovery must start
immediately, alongside immediate relief activities
implemented by ministries and humanitarian agencies,
so that the people in Gaza can take an active – not passive
– role in rebuilding their lives, homes, and livelihoods.
Therefore, in advance of the donors’ conference, the
Government is moving forward with implementing
priority early recovery interventions, as part of the first
phase of the Gaza Early Recovery and Reconstruction
Plan. These selected interventions are designed to:
1. Increase availability of basic services in Gaza;
2. Provide temporary housing solutions and facilitate
IDPs to return home as soon as possible; and
3. Relieve financial stress and enable the private sector
to participate in recovery and reconstruction.
The interventions are a bridge from humanitarian crisis to
early recovery. Through these actions, the Government is
operationalizing its core strategy for Gaza’s recovery: caring
for its citizens, rebuilding its infrastructure, revitalizing its
economy, and strengthening its governance.
The Shelter Assistance Package launched by the
Government, UNRWA, and UNDP was the first Bridging
to Recovery intervention. At the time of writing, the
Government was working with the private sector to
identify priority interventions for implementation.
Donor conference
Relief
Early Recovery
Reconstruction
Bridging to Recovery
Transition into long-term development