GAZA, April 15, 2026 (WAFA) - The Government of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme / Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP), jointly announced on Wednesday the launch of a fresh $9.1 million project for 2026–2027 in support of emergency debris and solid waste management in the Gaza Strip, to scale up the previous efforts, according to the Representative Office of Japan to Palestine.
It said that the 2025–2026 project, which successfully concluded earlier this year, resulted in the collection of 112,000 tons of debris. Debris clearance has enhanced humanitarian access and sustainable livelihoods through road maintenance and shelter-foundation strengthening from recycled materials. Moreover, the project enabled the procurement and daily operational use of three trucks for solid waste management.
It added that with heightening needs for economic activities through municipal road rehabilitation and the recent upsurge of waste piles that gravely affect the public health of citizens and marketplaces, Japan decided to make available larger funds for quick response that encompass early recovery of livelihoods in the Gaza Strip.
It noted that this new project will further expand debris removal operations and improve Gazans’ access to basic services. The removal and recycling of debris is expected to facilitate the daily activities of over one million Palestinians, including women accessing markets, and restoration of waste collection and disposal systems will support primary solid waste collection for more than 695,000 people across the Gaza Strip.
It affirmed that with this upcoming project, local Joint Services Councils will be empowered to sustain their operation of daily waste collection and management of rehabilitated temporary dumping sites, through newly acquired equipment, fuel, and short-term job opportunities of fuel monitors, controllers, and supervisors, that add up to 36,000 working days and six months of income in support of 200 families.
Araike Katsuhiko, Ambassador for Palestinian Affairs, stated: “Japan has long been a flagbearer of the Humanitarian–Development–Peace nexus, and continues to advocate that early recovery challenges must be addressed even as humanitarian crises are unfolding. Japan sees great potential in its partnership with UNDP and wishes to unlock opportunities for a more vibrant socio-economic life for many Gazans hoping for a better tomorrow.”
Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator, says: “UNDP is pleased to continue its steadfast partnership with Japan to support the Palestinian people in Gaza. Together, we’re addressing immediate, basic needs while strengthening resilience, improving living conditions, reducing risks, and supporting early recovery in Gaza.”
Together, Japan and UNDP continue to respond to the urgent basic needs of vulnerable communities across Palestine, while strengthening local capacities and paving the path toward more sustainable and stable living conditions.
K.F.
