Human development in Gaza will be set back by 44 years if the current war continues for nine months, warns a UN report, reported Xinhua.
In their report released on Thursday, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) estimate that at six months of war, the human development index (HDI) in Gaza will have dropped to 0.598, setting back human development by 33 years. At seven months, the HDI will further reduce to 0.582, a setback of 37 years.
If the war continues for nine months, 44 years of progress will be wiped out, bringing Gaza back to the levels of 1980.
For the entire Palestine, at six months, human development will be set back by 17 years. After nine months, more than 20 years of progress will be wiped out, according to the report.
As the war approaches its seventh month, the poverty rate in Palestine will reach 58.4 percent, thrusting nearly 1.74 million additional people into poverty.
Palestine's gross domestic product will plunge by 26.9 percent, representing a loss of 7.1 billion U.S. dollars from a 2023 no-war baseline.
In a scenario where the war continues for nine months, poverty is estimated to reach 60.7 percent, 2.25 times of pre-war levels, pushing over 1.86 million additional people into poverty.
Unemployment across Palestine could reach 46.7 percent after seven months of war, compared with 25.7 percent before the war. Before the war, Gaza was already grappling with an unemployment rate of 45 percent, with youth unemployment at nearly 60 percent.
The UNDP-ESCWA report was an update of their joint initial rapid assessment released in November 2023.
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
I’m devastated to see the impact of this ongoing conflict on the people of Gaza. The statistics in the UN report are alarming, showing the catastrophic consequences of a prolonged war. It’s crucial for the international community to step in and work towards a peaceful solution to prevent further devastation.
How can we prevent such a drastic setback in human development in Gaza? What actions should the international community take to address this urgent issue?
In order to prevent such a drastic setback in human development in Gaza, it is crucial for the international community to take immediate action. Providing humanitarian aid, supporting reconstruction efforts, and promoting peaceful resolution of conflicts are essential steps to address this urgent issue. Collaboration between nations, investment in education and healthcare, as well as sustainable development projects can contribute to rebuilding Gaza’s infrastructure and improving the quality of life for its residents.
I cannot believe the devastating impact this war is having on Gaza’s human development. The thought of erasing 44 years of progress is heart-wrenching. Immediate action needs to be taken to end this war and prevent further suffering.
It’s heartbreaking to see how quickly years of progress and development can be destroyed by conflict. The statistics in this report are a stark reminder of the devastating impact of prolonged war on societies like Gaza. Let’s hope for a swift resolution to prevent further suffering.
Could the UN report on Gaza’s human development setbacks be a wake-up call for immediate action to end the war?
It is devastating to see the impact of the prolonged war on human development in Gaza. If this conflict persists for nine months as projected, the setbacks predicted by the UN report are truly alarming. The regression of 44 years in development would bring immense challenges to the people of Gaza and Palestine as a whole.
How can we help prevent such devastating setbacks in Gaza’s human development? Any suggestions in the report?