"The situation for non-refugees is even worse. Only a small percentage of the $5.4 billion pledged at the Cairo Reconstruction Conference has actually been disbursed. This is, frankly, unacceptable," Serry said Monday after his final visit to Gaza as UN Special Coordinator.
Last October, international donors have pledged $5.4 billion for the rebuilding of Gaza. The major donor-states such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey promised $2.7 billion at the Cairo conference.
The conflict in Gaza began last July, with Israel launching Operation Protective Edge against the Hamas forces in the area. According to the United Nations, over 2,000 Palestinians and 70 Israelis were killed during the operation. The sides agreed to an open-ended ceasefire on August 26.
Palestinian authorities have estimated that over 60,000 residential buildings and some 5,000 businesses and commercial establishments were damaged or destroyed in the conflict. The UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees was forced to suspend its aid program for repairs due to the lack of funds, the agency said in January.
