UN Report Highlights How War Has Reversed Gaza's Development By 69 Years

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has released a report detailing the severe impact of conflict on Gaza's development, setting it back by nearly 69 years. The report emphasises that without lifting economic restrictions and investing in recovery, the Palestinian economy cannot return to pre-war levels or progress with humanitarian aid alone.

Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator, stated, "The assessment indicates that, even if humanitarian aid is provided each year, the economy may not regain its pre-crisis level for a decade or more." The report outlines three recovery scenarios, including one called the "Under the Non-Restricted Early Recovery (NRER)" scenario.

This NRER scenario proposes lifting restrictions on Palestinian workers and restoring withheld clearance revenues to the Palestinian Authority. Alongside US$280 million in humanitarian aid, an additional US$290 million would be allocated annually for recovery efforts. This approach could boost productivity by 1% each year, helping to realign Palestinian development plans by 2034.

The report warns that without these measures, development as measured by the Human Development Index (HDI) could regress significantly. By the end of 2024, HDI levels might drop to figures not seen since calculations began for Palestine in 2004.

The findings indicate that Palestine's HDI will fall to 0.643, equivalent to levels from 2000, effectively reversing 24 years of progress. For Gaza specifically, the HDI is expected to plummet to 0.408, akin to conditions in 1955, erasing over six decades of advancement.

In contrast, the West Bank's HDI is projected to decrease to 0.676, reflecting a setback of 16 years. The assessment cautions that this decline could worsen if military actions in the West Bank intensify.

Strategic Investment and Reconstruction

The report advocates for a comprehensive plan combining humanitarian aid with strategic investments in reconstruction and development-friendly conditions. This approach aims to place the Palestinian economy on a path towards recovery and alignment with future development objectives.

"But this scenario can only play out if recovery efforts are unrestricted," the report stated. It underscores that without removing barriers and fostering conducive conditions for growth, reliance solely on aid will not suffice for sustainable economic revival.

The UNDP's analysis highlights the urgent need for coordinated efforts to lift economic constraints and invest strategically in rebuilding initiatives. Such actions are crucial for enabling long-term stability and prosperity in Palestine amidst ongoing challenges.

With inputs from WAM