Gaza: The Government Operations Room held a meeting with the UNDP Regional Team Leader for Governance and Peace to discuss ways for strengthening coordination and advancing relief and recovery efforts in the Gaza Strip.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Samah Hamad, Chair of the Government Operations Room for Emergency Interventions in the Gaza Strip Governorates, emphasized the importance of enhancing field coordination between the Palestinian government and international and UN institutions. She stressed the need for a transparent humanitarian response to accelerate recovery efforts and restore vital services in the Gaza Strip.
The meeting, conducted between the Government Operations Room and the UNDP Regional Team for Governance and Peace, included information on governance and institutional response programs supporting the Palestinian government's efforts. Discussions also focused on coordination mechanisms and partnerships with national ministries and institutions to enhance the effectiveness of relief and early recovery interventions in Gaza.
Hamad highlighted that the Operations Room consolidates efforts from government ministries, national institutions, and international partners to ensure resources are directed to urgent priorities and alleviate the population's suffering. The Operations Room operates through two field offices in Gaza City and Deir al-Balah, working collaboratively with local and international partners despite challenges from Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid entry and field movement.
Hamad outlined ongoing coordination of humanitarian response efforts across various sectors during the relief and early recovery phases. To date, implementation plans for the education, health, public works and housing, energy, and water sectors have been reviewed. She emphasized a participatory approach in preparing these plans, involving local and international experts and partners to ensure a comprehensive response.
Hamad further discussed the Palestinian government's role in revitalizing the local economy and creating temporary employment opportunities in cooperation with civil society organizations and international partners, aiming to gradually restore life to key sectors.
She called for international pressure to enable the Palestinian government to operate effectively on the ground in Gaza, ensuring unrestricted humanitarian access and strengthening the UN humanitarian coordination system in aid distribution. She also urged the urgent provision of shelter materials, mobile clinics, water, and generators to maintain essential services and protect vulnerable populations.
Hamad stressed the importance of reactivating the education system in Gaza as a top national priority to safeguard the future of children, advocating for the rapid establishment of shelter centers at sites identified by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing for displaced families.
From Gaza, Mohammad Zaiter, representative of the Palestinian Employment Fund, spoke about the Fund's cooperation with UNDP in providing temporary job opportunities for youth. He noted that around 3,000 temporary jobs have been created in critical sectors, contributing to the restoration of essential services and community recovery.
Raqia Abu Rab, from the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, presented on cooperation with UNDP in implementing the Relief and Early Recovery Plan for the Public Works and Housing Sector. She reported that UNDP teams have removed over 100,000 tons of rubble, with 16,000 tons recycled for rehabilitating public roads and improving access to essential services.
