UN Report Highlights Enormous Challenge of Clearing Gaza's Rubble
A recent report by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) reveals that it will take years and hundreds of millions of dollars to clear the Gaza Strip of rubble before any rebuilding can begin. The report, published today, estimates that a fleet of over a hundred trucks will need 15 years to clear nearly 40 million tons of debris, costing between $500 million and $600 million.
Massive Destruction and Long-Term Impact
The UNEP report highlights the staggering scale of destruction in Gaza, noting that 137,297 buildings were damaged, more than half of all buildings in the region. Approximately a quarter of these buildings were completely destroyed, about a tenth were severely damaged, and a third suffered moderate damage. The report estimates that huge landfill sites, covering up to five square kilometers, will be necessary to dispose of the rubble, depending on the amount that can be recycled.
Decades-Long Reconstruction Effort
In May, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) projected that rebuilding homes in Gaza could take until 2040 in the most optimistic scenario, with total reconstruction costs reaching up to $40 billion. The conflict has severely impacted Gaza's infrastructure, reducing health, education, and wealth levels to those of 1980, effectively erasing 44 years of development. The UNDP emphasized that the damage to infrastructure is unprecedented, with no building in Khan Yunis left untouched and the landscape significantly altered by the bombings.
The task of clearing the rubble is further complicated by the presence of unexploded bombs and other explosive materials scattered throughout the Gaza Strip. This makes the reconstruction process even more challenging and hazardous.
