Gaza's homes get off the ground

The reconstruction process has finally begun for those whose homes were completely destroyed during the war on Gaza in 2014. This is in accordance with the agreement with Qatar which has donated 1,000 residential units.

Qatar’s conditions for reconstruction include that the ground floor must need rebuilding, that families with children are given priority to the homes, and that the home owners’ home was completely destroyed.

The Ministry of public Works is supervising the reconstruction process, along with the UNDP for homes for residents and UNRWA for homes for refugees. Both of these agencies grant money to the residents through the banks in Gaza under the supervision of the ministry.

In the past two days, 580 residents whose blueprints and paperwork have been completed received 30 per cent of the total amount granted to them for the reconstruction of their homes. This amount allows them to start building the foundation for their home, reaching above ground level. After this is completed, they will receive the second installment, which amounts to 40 per cent of the total house price. This leaves the final 30 per cent which is reserved for the finishing touches.

The lists and names were sent to the Israeli authorities to be approved in order to send the amount of cement needed for residents to begin construction.

Residents have started to buy the basic construction supplies, including iron, cement and small rocks and the construction workers have started building. However, many residents who are not covered by the Qatari grant have expressed their fear that the other Arab countries will not keep their promises to fund the remaining reconstruction of the destroyed homes in Gaza. They are also afraid that the funds pledged during the Cairo conference for the reconstruction of Gaza will remain held up in the current political situation. They have called for the need to immediately reconstruct Gaza.

Images by MEMO photographer: Mohammad Asad

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