Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 18
18
Accepted
Paragraph: 65
Include Gaza's people in reconstruction plans, supporting local businesses through financial mechanisms and contracts.
Recommendation
The UK Government must listen to the people of Gaza and include them in the plans for reconstruction. Allowing them to rebuild their businesses alongside their homes will allow much-needed economic activity to restart, help to restore the dignity of the Gazan population and rebuild their lives. The UK Government should consider all the tools at its disposal, such as the alternative financing mechanisms set out in the recent White Paper, to support Gazan businesses to support themselves. Where infrastructure grants are given, Gazan businesses must be the first considered for contracts with the UK Government looking at providing bank guarantees alongside.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and fully supports including Gazans and their economic recovery in reconstruction plans, including engaging Gazan firms and civil society organizations. The UK is considering various forms of support, such as grants, loans, insurance cover, and political engagement, in consultation with multilateral development bank partners.
Paragraph Reference:
65
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Agree The World Bank, UN and EU plan to undertake a Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment of Gaza, which will inform reconstruction planning. The UK fully supports putting Gazans and their economic recovery at the heart of the process, including through engaging Gazan firms and civil society organisations directly to deliver recovery and reconstruction, to facilitate economic and civic recovery. We are considering, in consultation with multilateral development bank partners, varied forms of support to enable this, such as grants and loans for liquidity, insurance cover, and political engagement to facilitate access to Gaza.