UNOPS Executive Director on Gaza's Urgent Need for Power Restoration and Aid

Urgent Need for Infrastructure Rehabilitation

• 💡 Restoring power to Gaza is an urgent priority, with the Gaza power station needing approximately $10 million for repairs.
• ⚡ The power station, along with electricity lines, has been non-operational since October 2023, leaving Gaza reliant on generators and limited fuel.
• ⚠️ Over 80% of Gaza's infrastructure is damaged, leading to inhumane living conditions in tents, exacerbated by recent severe weather.

Challenges in Aid Delivery

• 🚚 The Jordan corridor is crucial for aid delivery but has been blocked for humanitarian operations for four months, leaving vital supplies stuck.
• 📦 UNOPS has built 10 warehouses in Jordan holding supplies equivalent to 10,000 trucks, but these goods are at risk of expiring.
• 🚧 Access and authorization, particularly regarding dual-use restrictions on spare parts and heavy machinery, are significant hurdles for rehabilitation efforts.

UNOPS's Role and Coordination

• 🤝 UNOPS acts as an enabler for other UN agencies, managing the 2720 mechanism for aid approval, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• 🛠️ The agency provides support in areas like mine action, rubble removal assessment, and fuel distribution, complementing the work of other organizations.
• 🌐 UNOPS is a project-based organization focused on operations, working within its mandate to implement projects and support UN-wide efforts in Gaza.

Immediate Needs and Future Outlook

• 💧 Immediate needs include water, electricity, waste management, rubble removal, demining, and shelter.
• 🏥 The rehabilitation of critical infrastructure like the power station and network is essential to provide basic services, similar to pre-war levels.
• 🌍 The $53 billion reconstruction assessment highlights the immense scale of needs, with a prioritized component of $30 billion, requiring broad support including from the private sector.