Gaza Public Works prepares 23 new shelter centers

Palestinian Minister of Public Works and Housing, Ahed Bseiso, announced that the ministry is preparing 23 new shelter centers in the Gaza Strip to accommodate approximately 20,000 tents in preparation for the winter season. The initiative faces significant challenges, including a shortage of tents and available land, as well as the fact that the population is concentrated in only about 30% of the territory.

In coordination with international organizations and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the ministry is working on repairing damaged housing, assessing structural safety, and reopening roads. To date, specialized teams have removed approximately 1.36 million tons of rubble from 62 sites, including public buildings and health facilities. About 390,000 tons of this rubble have been reused for road rehabilitation and improving shelter sites.

The ministry is also working to open 420 roads, totaling 670 kilometers, to facilitate movement and access to shelters. Additionally, the ministry is conducting structural assessments to determine which buildings can be rehabilitated and which must be demolished. In a recent agreement, Bank of Palestine donated $500,000 to assist in the demolition of a high-risk tower identified during these assessments.