Red Cross: Massive devastation calls for vast humanitarian effort in Gaza

Date: 21 / 01 / 2009  Time:  15:08
Gaza – Ma’an –

The International Committee of the Red Cross says that a massive reconstruction effort is needed to overcome the devastation of Israel’s 23-day terrorist war on Gaza.

"The level of destruction is absolutely overwhelming," said ICRC delegate Jérome Giraud. "Most people have not been able to move back to their houses. Many checked on their homes, but then decided to return to the UNRWA shelters. They had no other choice."

People are assessing the damage sustained by their homes, neighborhoods and fields. "It is as if they were waking from a nightmare," said Antoine Grand, head of the ICRC office in Gaza. "They are sharing their stories of hardship and survival with the family members and friends they were separated from during this ordeal."

Tal Al-Hawa, in the centre of Gaza City, was one of the areas hardest hit, according to the ICRC. This is where Al-Quds Hospital and the main office of the Palestine Red Crescent Society, both damaged on 14 January by shelling, are located. Several public buildings suffered direct hits, turning entire blocks into rubble and wrecking thousands of private houses.

In some areas, the extent of the damage inflicted on civilian properties has yet to be determined. "We expect the needs of the population to be even greater in the southern and northern outskirts of the city, as they are among the areas that bore the brunt of the bombardments," said Mr Giraud. "The population there is generally poorer. Some people have been left with absolutely nothing."

Over the coming weeks, the ICRC will provide approximately 80,000 people whose homes were damaged or completely destroyed, who are currently in UNRWA shelters or hosted by relatives or friends, with everything from mattresses and blankets to kitchen utensils, hygiene kits and thick plastic sheeting that can be used as temporary roofing.

Hamas delegation consoles Gazans in areas destroyed by shelling

Date: 22 / 01 / 2009  Time:  13:25
Gaza – Ma’an –

A Hamas movement delegation visited on Thursday neighborhoods of Gaza City that were devastated by Israeli criminal shelling.

The delegation included Dr Usama Al-Mazini, Dr Zuhdi Abu Ne’meh, Dr Subhi Al-Yazgi and several figures. The officials visited the Ar-Rayyes area and At-Tufah neighborhood to consol residents for their losses during the recent three-week war.

The officials promised to compensate locals for their losses.

Abu Ne’amah praised the steadfastness of Gazans, assuring that the destruction “will not break people’s will.”

Gazans especially, from the Al-Jarou family who lost dozens of houses and family members, talked about their steadfastness in the face of the Israeli assault. They said they are “committed to the resistance and to Palestine and will never knee before Israel’s will.”

Public works ministry: Reconstruction of Gaza costs more than $2b

[ 21/01/2009 - 05:20 PM ]

GAZA, (PIC)--

The ministry of public works in the PA government in Gaza has estimated the cost of reconstructing the Gaza Strip following the three weeks of the Israeli terrorist war at 2.215 billion dollars.

Dr. Yousef Al-Mansi, the minister of public works, told a press conference on Wednesday in Gaza city that the amount was a preliminary estimation following the ministry's preliminary statistics and categorization of damage. He added that the sum also includes relief and shelter for civilians who were rendered homeless by the aggression.

He pointed out that 5000 families had lost their homes and furniture completely and each needs around 10000 dollars for a period of one year.

He added that the homes of 6000 families were partially damaged but could not be used for residence and those families lost part of their furniture. He explained that they needed around 5000 dollars for one year.

The minister said that 10000 families had their homes damaged but could be rebuilt and are in need of 3000 dollars for a year.

Mansi said that 20000 housing units were totally destroyed and needed 250 million dollars for reconstruction while the government buildings, institutions and clubs needed 8 million dollars for reconstruction. The Gaza airport and harbor need 10 million dollars to repair the damage they sustained, he elaborated.

A sum of 40 million dollars was needed to rebuild schools, kindergartens and universities destroyed in the war, he said, adding that another sum of 55 million dollars was needed to rehabilitate destroyed factories, workshops and civil defense facilities.

The minister underlined that the infrastructure projects, electricity, water and sewage, need 55 million dollars while another sum of 40 million dollars was needed to reconstruct greenhouses and animal farms and their factories.

Mansi hailed all efforts exerted to contribute to the reconstruction of Gaza, but said that they would not be practicable without opening all crossings without any restrictions.

Those efforts should be in coordination with the Palestinian government in Gaza in its capacity as the main party concerned with the reconstruction, adding that those who severed salaries of civil servants (Ramallah government) could not be entrusted with the reconstruction funds.