Gaza, 23/10/2016--- Press House-Palestine launched an electronic media three-day campaign that include many activities to activate reconstruction process and shed the light on the suffering of people in Caravans.
Belal Jadallah, the chairman of Press House, said that the campaign aims at highlighting the displaced and the people of caravans, and sending a message to the world that pay the attention of the Gaza Strip suffering, so that reconstruction could be accelerated.
He noted that the campaign is done in the participation of a number of organizations; International Support follow up Initiative, Social media center, Gaza Through my Eyes, We are Not Numbers, Social Media Café'.
Jadallah explained that the campaign goes on for three days starting from today Sunday on which tweets of #Gaza_Incomplete_Reconstruction are launched till 5:00 Pm. On the second day, a special meeting with the owners of the destroyed houses and officials in the presence of media coverage entitled" The displaced- between officials& Media"
He noted that on Thursday, an exhibition of new recently-taken photos that shed the light on the suffering of the displaced and people of Caravans.
In his turn, Jamal Al-Khodary, member of parliament and Head of the Popular Committee Against the Israeli Siege, praised the campaign and its organizers, considering launching it indicates the clear vision of Press House work, through which media turns from delivering events into creating events.
He noted that launching this campaign by Press House plays an essential role in reflecting the reality of the displaced and people of Caravans. Thus, this campaign will activate an important issue which is reconstruction for 2014 aggression.
Al-Khodary said that it's been two years of the end of the war and the reconstruction is till slow due to the blockade imposed on the strip for ten years. He explained that " there are 3,000 destroyed housing units that have fund but with no building materials since the occupation didn't allow them to enter, and other 6000 have neither fund nor building materials.
He called on the international community to afford the donations needed for the destroyed houses, which don't get fund till now, and to lobby on Israel to enter building materials.
Al-Khodary also added that the impact of this campaign is to reach decision makers and international community to lobby on Israel and facilitate entering building material.
In his turn, Maher Al-Tabbaa', Head of Public Relations and Media in Chamber of Commerce, thanked Press House for organizing this campaign and shedding the light on this important issue.
Al-Tabbaa' said that the authority presented a plan for reconstruction in Gaza with a budget of 8 billion $ in Cairo donors conference, noting that the donation of the donor countries amounted to 5 billion, and 82 million $, where 3 billion and 507 million are allocated to reconstruction and the rest is for the Palestinian Authority Budget.
He noted that according to the last reports issued from the international bank, there's 1 billion and 596 million $, ranging 46% out of the donations of the donors' pledges.
Al-Tabbaa' explained that one of the international organizations issued a statement on 30th August, 2014, said; " reconstruction process of Gaza will take 20 years in case the building materials entrance process keeps slow, and dotting policy keeps being followed.
He also added that the total number of the destroyed housing units amounted 171, while the partially destroyed 6800, the completely destroyed amounted 11,000, while 1308 ones have been repaired, which ranges 11.89% out of the total units for reconstruction.
He added that there are 3205 being rebuilt and 2494 units that have donation without building materials, while 3993 don't have fund.
Regarding the economic aspect, he explained that (5153) commercial facilities were targeted during the last aggression against Gaza, which need 152 million$ to be repaired. Only 25 million$ from the Kuwaiti and Qatari donation granted , respecting 16% out of the total destruction.
He said that there are 3205 being rebuilt and 2494 units have donation without building materials, as well as 3993 don't have any fud.
Al-Tabba' confirmed that the amount of cement entered to the Gaza Strip don't exceed 33% out of the total needs of the strip. In her turn, Haneen Al-Sammak, representative of international fund follow up imitative, that the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip is not limited to the last aggression; it's a total of three aggression of destruction.
Al-Sammaj said that the first article of Gaza reconstruction agreement is to guarantee the security of Israel without taking about reconstruction. She also stated that prevention of entering building materials since they might be used in a way that causes the occupation.
In his turn, Amjad Al-Massry, one of Caravans' inhabitants, said: " I am living with my six brothers in three caravans, which are bad-made. We thought caravans are good, but unfortunately they are tins with a roof of gypsum and a ground of wood. I have lived in it for one year.
He also added that he lost his 6-year-old child due to falling the door of the caravan on him, noting that Caravans are not for a decent life, life of caravans doesn’t fit the animals, then how about humans !
Al-Masry appealed all official to accelerate reconstruction process, so the suffering of thousands of people would be ended.
While the mother Om Abed Abu Amsha, who is living in the Caravans, said; " I am living a very difficult life there with a family of ten members, I am sick and I have 4 young males and 3 females. What should I do with them? How to afford a good life for them? "
Abu Amsha called on Mofeed Al-Hasayna, the minister of public works and housing to rebuild her house as soon as possible.
