"Currently 29,000 people in Gaza have no home," said Nick O'Regan, Director of UNOPS Infrastructure team and former head of the organization's office in Gaza, citing figures from the Shelter Cluster.

"From a population of two million people, only a small fraction have access to drinking water in their homes; thousands don't even have a home, nor the ability to rebuild those that had been destroyed a few years ago," he continued.

UNOPS is inviting the public to donate to help homeless families in Gaza get their lives back on track.  "This project is small, but the way it works is different to many of the traditional reconstruction projects. We've setup a new approach to help identify the most vulnerable people, and are focusing on providing support to families with the greatest needs," explained Mr. O'Regan.

Many other large-scale funding drives are currently ongoing, including a World Health Organization appeal for $4.5 million, which focuses on immediate support to the health sector in Gaza. In our case, we are looking towards longer-term personal impact, both in the social and emotional sense, of recreating homes for those who have lost them.

In partnership with the Norwegian Refugee Council and with funding from the German Development Bank (Bank aus Verantwortung), the project has, to date, reconstructed around 72 homes, with a similar number of new homes currently being built. Details of current building activities can be viewed in real time.

Building materials enter the territory through the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism – an agreement between the Government of Israel and the State of Palestine.

Apart from construction, the project provides legal, financial and technical support. Women, the elderly and people living with disabilities are among the majority to benefit from this reconstruction project. Cash grants for the purchase of construction materials are co-signed by both heads of household, helping ensure property rights for women. 

Funds raised through this appeal could be used for building materials, labour, or in the provision of support services for families. No UNOPS costs will be covered through donations. All funds received will go directly to the project in Gaza.