Economic recovery in #Gaza means helping businesses restart, retain jobs, and rebuild local resilience. With support from Norway 🇳🇴, @UNDP is supporting 40 war-damaged enterprises through 2 shared workspaces—benefiting ~300 workers across key service sectors to sustain livelihoods and local enterprise.

When Suad returned to her neighbourhood in Gaza, she could barely recognize it. Her home was buried under debris, and the familiar surroundings she once knew had disappeared. Across Gaza, clearing rubble is about more than removing debris. It is about reopening vital roads, restoring access for humanitarian assistance and helping communities reconnect with essential services. With support from the Republic of Korea, Norway, Japan and the European Union, UNDP is working to restore access and create the conditions for early recovery. Yet the scale of destruction remains immense. Sustained access to heavy machinery and specialized equipment is critical to continue this work and help families like Suad’s regain safe access to their neighbourhoods.

On the International Day of #RuralWomen, @UNDP, with the Democracy and Workers’ Rights Center (DWRC), organized an exhibition in #Gaza showcasing locally produced food, handicrafts, embroidery, agricultural products, clothing and accessories from 30 women and young entrepreneurs. Beyond showcasing their products, the exhibition provided an opportunity to highlight local skills, entrepreneurship and the importance of sustaining livelihoods amid Gaza’s severe economic challenges. The initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen the capacities of 120 women and young people, support small businesses and expand income-generating opportunities. This initiative is part of UNDP’s Investment Programme for Resilience (IPR IV), supported by the Government of Germany through KfW, contributing to local economic resilience and community recovery in Gaza.

Congratulations to the winning engineering students of the “Palestinian Future Home Competition”, held as part of the First Palestinian Housing Forum, in partnership with the Ministry of Public Works and Housing and @UNDP, amid increasingly urgent housing needs across Palestine, from the #West_Bank to the #Gaza Strip and #East_Jerusalem. The Forum provides a platform for exchanging ideas and expertise on the future of housing in Palestine and exploring practical solutions to the challenges facing the sector, from reconstruction and housing policy development to expanding financing opportunities and harnessing modern technologies and sustainable solutions. By bringing together national institutions, technical experts, the private sector and financing partners, the Forum creates opportunities for new partnerships and innovative ideas that contribute to developing affordable, resilient and sustainable housing solutions that respond to Palestinians’ needs and priorities.

Despite immense challenges in #Gaza, @UNDP continues to work side by side with national institutions and partners to address urgent needs and lay the groundwork for Palestinian-owned recovery. This work reflects the commitment and collective efforts of those delivering on the ground. Yet the needs remain immense, and sustained access and resources are essential to expand these efforts at the scale required. Our sincere thanks to our donors, whose continued support makes this work possible. 📹 Watch the video for a closer look at our work.

Resilience is also about the support, connections and community spaces that help people navigate difficult circumstances with dignity. This #PinkOctober, we highlight the importance of community-based support for women affected by cancer, from psychosocial support and rehabilitation to peer connections and access to reliable information. Through the Investment Programme for Resilience IPR, funded by the Government of Germany through KfW, @UNDP is partnering with Dunya Women’s Cancer Association to strengthen a dedicated space where women can connect, access support and participate in their communities. This is part of our broader work to strengthen inclusive community spaces, social connections and resilience across Palestinian communities.

Nearly 400,000 cubic metres of accumulated solid waste have been cleared and transferred from the historic #Firas_Market in the heart of #Gaza City. The clearance marks an important step in addressing Gaza’s solid waste crisis and reducing associated public health risks, while creating the conditions to bring one of Gaza City’s largest commercial hubs back into use. More than 200 merchants and vendors can return, helping reconnect local supply chains. Reviving Firas Market is part of @UNDP’s broader early recovery efforts to restore livelihoods, economic activity and the spaces communities rely on every day. Yet Gaza’s solid waste crisis remains immense. Thanks to Germany, the occupied Palestinian territory Humanitarian Fund (oPt HF), the European Union through ECHO, and Belgium, whose support made this possible.

Since October 2023, #Gaza’s productive capacity has been severely damaged and markets disrupted. Yet women like Nidaa, Hanaa and Hanin continue to find ways forward—adapting their businesses, rebuilding livelihoods and supporting their families. Learn how @UNDP is supporting small businesses and helping restore productive capacity. 🔗 More bit.ly/4AOn0rr

“It was my home, my source of income. It used to serve everyone: the rich and the poor.” That’s how Musa remembers #Firas_Market, once one of #Gaza City’s iconic marketplaces. Then came the war. As solid waste collection collapsed and the market was destroyed, the site became a dumping ground. With support from Germany, the occupied Palestinian territory Humanitarian Fund (oPt HF), the European Union through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), and Belgium, @UNDP and partners have removed over 365,000 square metres (226,000 tonnes) of solid waste from the market. But these gains remain fragile. Sustained access to heavy machinery and equipment, alongside the conditions needed to safely remove remaining rubble and waste, is critical to bring Firas Market back into use and help restore livelihoods and economic activity in the heart of Gaza City.

Air quality is an essential part of community health and environmental safety. By monitoring and measuring it, data can be transformed into knowledge that helps communities and policymakers understand environmental challenges and take more sustainable steps. To contribute to this effort, young men and women are leading a voluntary initiative to establish Palestine’s first comprehensive community-based air quality monitoring network, AirAware, supported by @UNDP through the @GEF_SGP , in partnership with the Palestinian Environment Quality Authority and the Seeds for Development and Culture Association. The network includes sensors distributed across #Nablus, #Tulkarem, and #Jenin governorates, collecting real-time air-quality data from different locations, which will be made accessible to communities through a dedicated website and mobile application currently under development. By making air-quality information more accessible, the initiative seeks to enhance awareness of air quality, empower communities to understand their environmental reality, and contribute to environmental protection.

Strengthening Palestinian businesses means working beyond individual enterprises—on the institutions, standards and market connections they need to compete and grow. Through its Economic Resilience Programme (MASARAT), @UNDP is working with Palestinian institutions and the private sector to strengthen the systems that enable Palestinian businesses to compete and reach new markets. The Palestine Standards Institution’s (PSI) recognition by Malaysia’s Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM) for Halal certificates issued in Palestine marks important progress—creating a more streamlined pathway to the Malaysian market and opportunities for wider market access. This progress also contributes to broader efforts to connect Palestinian MSMEs with regional and global markets, including through the OIC Single Market Initiative and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Palestine. By strengthening institutions alongside businesses, UNDP is helping address barriers to trade and create a more enabling environment for Palestinian products to reach new markets. Congratulations to PSI on this important achievement, and appreciation to the Federation of Palestinian Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, the Ministry of National Economy, the Ministry of Industry, the Representative Office of Switzerland in the oPt and the Government of the Netherlands for their partnership and support.

The Republic of #Korea and @UNDP are launching R.E.V.I.V.E II in #Gaza, building on the results and experience of the first phase to advance transitional shelter, essential services and integrated neighbourhood-level recovery. The new phase reflects the Republic of Korea’s continued and valued partnership with UNDP and its commitment to supporting the Palestinian people from immediate response through early recovery. R.E.V.I.V.E II will also contribute to UNDP’s broader Gaza Neighbourhood Programme, helping create the conditions for Palestinians to remain on or return to their communities in greater safety and dignity. 🔗 More: bit.ly/4rsCn4p

In #Tulkarem, the pressures facing communities across the #WestBank are visible in people’s daily lives. During his visit, @UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator @jaco_cilliers met with Palestinian communities, local authorities, academia and partners, and saw first-hand how UNDP is working alongside them to respond to these pressures and support communities in moving forward. 📽️ Watch his reflections from the field.

One million tonnes is a milestone. But in #Gaza, it also puts the scale of what remains into perspective. @UNDP is working alongside the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, through the Debris Management Working Group, to advance coordinated debris removal across Gaza. With support from Japan, Norway, the Republic of Korea, the European Union and Germany through KfW, this work is helping reopen access to neighbourhoods, homes and essential services. The scale ahead is immense. Sustaining and expanding debris removal is critical to creating the conditions for early recovery.

Across #Gaza, damaged infrastructure and accumulated debris continue to restrict access to education. As the new school year begins, @UNDP is clearing rubble and reopening routes to help students and teachers safely access schools, universities and learning spaces. With support from the Governments of Norway 🇳🇴, the Republic of Korea 🇰🇷 and Japan 🇯🇵, UNDP has: ➡️ Removed rubble from 20 schools, 4 universities and 19 educational points, helping restore access to learning spaces across Gaza. ➡️ Cleared 50 km of roads leading to schools and other educational facilities. Clearing rubble is about more than removing the aftermath of destruction. Every school, university and road made accessible again helps keep education going, restores hope, and creates the conditions for early recovery.

Following the tragic building collapse in Gaza City, UNDP deployed available machinery and workers to support rescue efforts. Our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones and families still awaiting news of those trapped under the rubble. This tragedy highlights a wider risk. With the rainy season ahead, 330,000 families need dignified shelter, while already damaged structures face additional pressures. Responding when lives are at immediate risk is essential. But we must also act before the next emergency. Sustained access to heavy machinery, specialized equipment, fuel, oil, construction materials and transitional shelters is critical to address unsafe structures, manage debris and provide safer alternatives for families.