GAZA, (PIC)
The Ministry of Public Works and Housing in the Gaza Strip announced that initial estimates of the damage caused by the Israeli genocidal war indicate that 280,000 housing units have been completely destroyed or partially damaged to the extent that they are uninhabitable.
The ministry stated in a statement on Sunday that the number of destroyed units assessed on the ground so far has reached 250,000 housing units, including 170,000 units that were completely destroyed and 80,000 units that are uninhabitable.
The ministry confirmed that its field teams have been documenting the extent of the damage since the first day of the aggression, despite the significant risks they faced, with some of their personnel losing their lives while performing their duties. After the ceasefire went into effect, the teams were able to access new areas that had been inaccessible during the war, contributing to the intensification of field assessment operations.
The statement noted that the ministry is working on linking the preliminary assessment database to the geographic information system in coordination with municipalities, to facilitate data sharing with the Ministry of Social Development and partner organizations to provide necessary interventions for shelter.
The ministry clarified that the initial assessment operations will be completed within the next two weeks, after which they will move to the detailed assessment phase in coordination with international bodies and organizations involved in reconstruction. This assessment will include all affected units, including homes that sustained partial damage but remain habitable.
The ministry also announced its intention to launch an electronic link in the coming days, allowing affected families to inquire about the status of their housing units that have been assessed, as well as the ability to register units that have not yet been documented. Field teams will follow up on these units and add them to the database according to the established assessment criteria.
In conclusion, the ministry affirmed its commitment to providing data and technical support to all local and international organizations seeking to contribute to shelter and reconstruction efforts, emphasizing its ongoing fieldwork to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.
