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Jerusalem – Families whose homes have been damaged and destroyed during the three weeks of conflict in Gaza will receive cash assistance to address their accommodation needs.  Taking into consideration family size and current socio-economic status, cash assistance will be disbursed to 10,000 registered non-refugee families in three categories: $5,000 for fully destroyed homes, $3,000 for homes that sustained severe damages and $1,000 for homes with only minor damages.

An initial field survey, conducted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) estimates that over 14,000 homes have been totally or partially damaged. As a result, families are currently living in temporary housing arrangements including schools, tents, homes of relatives and incomplete buildings.

The Palestinian Authority and UNDP signed an agreement last week, which provides a total contribution of US$ 50 million to fund this cash assistance package as part of their ongoing collaboration on the Gaza Early Recovery Support Programme. The initial phase of the package will be implemented over a period of three months and will cost US$ 20.3 million. The money which was contributed by the Palestinian Authority and earmarked for Gaza relief is being channeled to beneficiaries through UNDP. The second and third phases of the package will be implemented upon further assessments of the damages incurred in Gaza.

“As we focus on helping the people of Gaza restore their lives and livelihood as urgently and immediately as possible, we will spare no effort to ensure that disbursement of this generous donor contribution is implemented in a fair and transparent manner,” asserted Jens Toyberg-Frandzen, Special Representative for UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People.