A recent report by the United Nations Development Programme has highlighted the devastating consequences of the war in Gaza, stating that it could potentially erase over 69 years of progress in the enclave. The report indicates that key indicators such as life expectancy, education, income, and standard of living are projected to plummet to levels last seen in 1955.
The UNDP Administrator, Achim Steiner, emphasized the urgent need to address the economic restrictions in Gaza, enable recovery, and invest in development to prevent a long-term crisis that could severely impact the future of Palestinians for generations to come.
The report estimates that in 2024, over 4 million people in Palestinian territories were affected by poverty, with 2.6 million individuals newly impoverished. This surge in poverty has pushed the poverty rate to a staggering 74.3 percent across all Palestinian territories.
As US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken visits the Middle East, the State Department underscores the importance of charting a new path forward for Palestinians to rebuild their lives and achieve their aspirations, free from the grip of Hamas.
The UN report serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for international support and concerted efforts to address the humanitarian and development crisis unfolding in Gaza and the wider Palestinian territories.
