East Jerusalem – The United Nations Development Programme / Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP) and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany have signed a EUR 18 Million project agreement to scale up early recovery efforts in the Gaza Strip, expanding an established programme that support the development of inclusive transitional community neighbourhoods in the Gaza Strip.

The new contribution will support the second phase of the Inclusive Transitional Community Neighbourhoods (ITCN) Programme, building on the achievements of its first phase and expanding UNDP’s integrated neighbourhood approach to reach over 300,000 people. Over the next two years, the programme will support communities affected by displacement and destruction by improving access to temporary shelter, basic services, livelihood opportunities and community-based assistance, thereby improving living conditions and laying the groundwork for longer-term recovery.

The expansion comes amid widespread destruction and displacement, with 94% of people in Gaza in need of shelter and basic household assistance and displacement sites currently hosting approximately 1.7 million people. Against this backdrop, scaling up integrated early recovery interventions is critical to addressing immediate needs while creating the conditions for more sustainable recovery. Germany’s additional EUR 18 million contribution will help address urgest humanitarian needs while laying the groundwork for longer-term recovery and the restoration of essential community infrastructure.

Mario Stumm, Deputy Head of the Middle East and North Africa Division at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), highlighted: We are very happy that we can strenghten our close partnership with UNDP on Gaza Early Recovery with this new commitment of 18 Million Euro today. It will Support UNDP to further expand its Inclusive Transitional Community Neighborhoods (ITCN) approach and is a pivotal cornerstone of our contribution to the Team Gaza Initiative.

Jaco Cilliers, UNDP/PAPP Special Representative of the Administrator, said: „Early recovery in Gaza is about rebuilding lives, restoring essential services and strengthening the social fabric of communities. Through our integrated neighbourhood approach, UNDP is helping create the conditions for displaced families to return to their neighbourhoods and communities, access essential services and rebuild their lives in safer, more dignified conditions. We sincerely thank Germany for its steadfast partnership and commitment to the Palestinian people in Gaza. This contribution will enable us to scale up these efforts, supporting a people-centred recovery process that strengthens inclusion, community connections and resilience“.

Building on the operational experience and results of its first phase, which reached over one million people through shelter, essential services, employment opportunities and social support, the programme will further strengthen partnerships with Palestinian institutions, UN agencies and local actors. The first phase facilitated the entry of the first relief housing units into Gaza and supported the establishment of 23 inclusive transitional neighbourhoods across the Strip.

For media Inquiries:
Musa Khalil, Head of Communication Unit, E-mail: musa.khalil@undp.org. Mobile: +972 54-5748761.