RAMALLAH, February 10, 2025 (WAFA) - Under the patronage and presence of Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today, Monday, at the Prime Minister's Office in Ramallah between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Arab and International Organization to Construct in Palestine (AIOCP), valued at $80 million for the first phase, under the supervision of the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, and the Arab and Islamic Funds Authority.
Since the ceasefire, this is the first intervention that is aimed at assessing the damage, removing debris from vital areas in the Gaza Strip, dealing with explosive ordnance and remnants of war, and establishing a number of temporary shelters, including the provision of necessary infrastructure and basic services.
The MoU was signed by Minister of Public Works and Housing, Ahed Bseiso, the UNDP UNDP Special Representative, Sarah Paul, and the legal advisor for the Arab and International Organization to Construct in Palestine (AIOCP), Mohammad Abu Zeid, on behalf of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of AIOCP, former Jordanian Prime Minister Taher al-Masri, who attended the agreement via remote communication. The event was also attended by Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Wael Zakout, Minister of Social Development and Relief, Samah Hamad, and the Prime Minister’s Advisor for Arab and Islamic Funds, Nasser Qatami.
Prime Minister Mustafa emphasized that this MoU will enhance the Government's efforts on the ground to provide an emergency response to meet the urgent needs of the Palestinian people. It is part of the ongoing work by the Government through the Government Operations Room, which involves over 30 ministries and government agencies, alongside international, humanitarian and relief partners.
Mustafa said, “The Palestinian Government has put in place a six-month program to address the situation on the ground, along with a three-year plan to move from relief to economic revitalization and early recovery, all the way to full-scale reconstruction over the next ten years, as part of a program coordinated with the World Bank, the European Union, and the United Nations.”
"This program is part of our comprehensive plan and is significant because it marks the first large-scale intervention launched to directly implement a series of important interventions related to the continued existence of life and the restoration of vitality to Gaza, particularly in terms of temporary housing, rubble removal, and restoring basic services,” he added.
The Prime Minister continued, “This program we signed today includes a commitment of $80 million to finance several vital programs that will be carried out. We are taking real, practical steps on the ground from day one, supported by our Arab brothers and our colleagues at the UN through UNDP.”
On behalf of the Palestinian people and President Mahmoud Abbas, the Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to all parties contributing to this program, particularly to Mr. Taher al-Masri for his unwavering support, dedication, and commitment to the Palestinian cause, and for his readiness to do everything he can to help Palestine, in addition to UNDP and AIOCP.
He concluded, “We hope that these efforts will be translated into tangible results on the ground, alleviating the suffering of our people and giving hope that we will continue and that life will return to normal, with the rebuilding of Gaza. Our people want to live on their land, remain on their land, and end the occupation and realize the independent Palestinian state. We call on the world to support our people in this mission.”
For his part, al-Masri said, “We are fulfilling our duty towards the Palestinian cause in the effort to rebuild all of Palestine, not just Gaza. Let us start anew with a significant step in our lives, the establishment of the independent Palestinian state on national soil.”
For her part, UNDP representative Ms. Paul said, “We reaffirm our collective commitment to Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction. The challenges we face are immense, but so is our resolve. The devastation in Gaza has left countless families without homes, essential services in crisis, and an economy struggling to survive. At UNDP, we stand firmly with the Palestinian people and the Government in their efforts to rebuild lives, restore dignity, and create pathways for a more resilient future.
Ms. Paul added, “UNDP stands ready to support [Palestinian] national institutions with the expertise, tools, and technical capacities needed to ensure that recovery efforts are efficient, inclusive, and sustainable. Under the MoU, we are implementing nearly US$ 40 million in transitional housing, rubble removal, damage assessments, and other technical assistance efforts.
“To scale up recovery efforts, UNDP is actively engaging with donors and partners to mobilize additional resources to the Government’s Relief and Early Recovery Plan (0-6 months), and we have developed a comprehensive US$ 126 million package that requires full support to address critical needs. We call upon all partners to join us in securing these resources to ensure a meaningful and sustained recovery," she continued.
