World Health Organization (WHO) Spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic and United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Spokesperson Jens Laerke, declared that the war in Gaza, that has been going on since October 7, has caused widespread destruction and recovery as well as reconstruction efforts could take decades.
The statements, given to Anadolu News Agency, included alarming details about the scope of destruction.
Jasarevic said that 70 to 80% of civilian infrastructure, including homes, hospitals, schools, and water and sanitation facilities have been destroyed or severely damaged. Repairing the extensive damage, particularly to the fragile healthcare system, is expected to take decades.
The UN Environment Program estimates that clearing the debris and explosive remnants alone could take three to 12 years.
The official said that the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development estimates that the overall economic damage, requiring tens of billions of dollars, could take decades to reverse. Only 13 out of 36 hospitals are partially or minimally functioning in Gaza, with the majority situated in the south.
Citing a UN report, Jasarevic emphasized that even if the fighting was to cease immediately, and reconstruction to commence promptly, restoring Gaza’s gross domestic product levels to 2022 figures would extend until 2092.
The WHO official added, “WHO will continue to implement its operational plan to support hospitals in Gaza with a financial ask for $110 million, with a strong focus on supporting existing health facilities, strengthening and maintaining health care services, managing casualties and reinstituting a trauma care pathway, as well as supporting medical evacuations and maintaining essential health services, working with international emergency medical teams and establishing additional field hospitals to cope with the acute needs.”
Meanwhile, Jens Laerke of the OCHA reiterated the critical need for aid delivery to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
He warned that, in addition to the direct repercussions of war, the public health crisis and starvation caused by increased poverty could be life-threatening.
He added that, in addition to ongoing efforts to deliver aid to the war zone, OCHA has consistently advocated for a humanitarian cease-fire.
According to the UN, the situation in Gaza is terrible, with 85% of the population internally displaced and experiencing acute food, water, and healthcare shortages, and over 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure damaged or destroyed.