Proposed Sustainable Reconstruction Plan
The Gaza Strip has endured a devastating war that lasted 471 days, during which more than 100,000 tons of explosives were dropped—exceeding the power of six nuclear bombs. This resulted in massive human losses and widespread destruction, affecting over 81% of essential daily life components. Amid this unprecedented humanitarian and living crisis, and the urgent need for reconstruction, Gazze Destek (GDD) has launched a comprehensive strategic proposal for the Sustainable Reconstruction Plan for the Gaza Strip over a five-year period, ensuring that rebuilding efforts take place without displacing residents from their land.
This plan serves as a strategic proposal presented to decision-makers responsible for reconstruction, offering a comprehensive and effective roadmap that addresses immediate humanitarian needs while laying the organization for long-term development to enhance social and economic stability in Gaza. The plan aims to:
- Promote a sustainable approach with green standards in Gaza’s reconstruction.
- Enhance self-sufficiency to improve community resilience in the face of crises and disasters.
- Propose innovative solutions leveraging the latest technological advancements to address complex challenges.
- Recommend legal frameworks for justice and international accountability to prevent the recurrence of war crimes and human rights violations.
- Enhancing local and international coordination and cooperation, and defining proposed roles for stakeholders to maximize the positive impact on those affected by the war.
Plan Overview and Estimated Price
The total estimated cost of the plan is approximately $80 billion, distributed across four interconnected phases to ensure a comprehensive and effective reconstruction process:
- Emergency Relief Phase ($13 billion): Focused on providing immediate aid to affected populations.
- Recovery and Reconstruction Phase ($43 billion): Aimed at rebuilding essential infrastructure and public facilities.
- Development Completion Phase ($9 billion): Dedicated to resuming development projects that were halted due to the war.
- Prevention and Preparedness Phase ($14 billion): Designed to enhance Gaza’s resilience against future crises and disasters.
The plan includes the implementation of 694 projects, categorized into 17 programs across five key sectors. It is structured for completion within a maximum of five years, with an average of three years allocated for recovery and reconstruction and two years for relief, development, and preventive interventions. Additionally, the plan provides for the allocation of government land within Gaza to serve as temporary shelter areas for displaced residents, ensuring safe and sustainable living environment until full reconstruction is completed.
Reconstruction Mechanisms and War Debris Management
The plan outlines a comprehensive and integrated framework for the necessary interventions, structured into four key and interconnected phases for each type of damage. It proposes lifesaving emergency interventions during the relief phase, including the provision of immediate shelter for affected populations. Additionally, it outlines comprehensive reconstruction efforts during the recovery phase, including temporary caravans for structures that were completely or severely destroyed until full reconstruction is completed.
Furthermore, the plan includes developmental interventions to resume projects disrupted during the war or the relief and recovery phases. These interventions prioritize improving living conditions through initiatives such as constructing new cities, building an airport and a seaport, developing an offshore gas field, establishing industrial zones, a free trade area, and employment hubs particularly for remote work opportunities. The plan also advocates for a comprehensive approach to agriculture, trade, and tourism sector development, with a focus on renewable energy sources (solar, hydro, and wind power) and biogas production from food waste and wastewater.
Moreover, the plan includes preventive interventions to strengthen community resilience against future crises, such as strengthening healthcare systems, emergency response capabilities, civil defense, and shelter construction.
Due to the extensive damage, the plan proposes four strategies to manage the 42 million tons of war debris, including:
- Deploying mobile recycling stations to process debris into reusable construction materials.
- Using debris for coastal expansion through safe and environmentally-friendly land reclamation in designated areas along Gaza’s shoreline.
- Repurposing debris in the construction of the seaport and fishing harbors.
- Creating wave barriers using debris to aid in coastal protection and energy generation.
Success Guarantees and International Cooperation
Gazze Destek Organization has emphasized that the success of this plan primarily depends on the commitment of all parties to the ceasefire agreement and the facilitation of reconstruction efforts. This includes allowing the entry of all necessary materials at a rate of 1,800 trucks per day, including 2,156 heavy machinery units, as well as all production lines related to construction and agricultural industries. Additionally, the plan calls for the provision of a floating power station to generate electricity until clean energy plants are built. Achieving these goals requires accelerating the rehabilitation and expansion of land crossings and the development of Gaza’s seaport to streamline the entry of reconstruction supplies.
Notably, this proposed plan is the result of nine months of intensive work, involving a wide range of experts and specialists from multiple countries. It remains open for continuous improvement and adaptation, as the organization plans to launch an interactive online platform to gather suggestions and modifications from experts and decision-makers. Gazze Destek Organization hopes this plan will serve as a pivotal turning point in the reconstruction of Gaza, strengthening its stability and paving the way for a safer, more prosperous future for its residents.
