Gaza Faces $71.4 Billion Reconstruction Bill After 24 Months of Conflict
The European Union and the United Nations, in collaboration with the World Bank, have released the final Gaza Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA), estimating that recovery and reconstruction in Gaza will require $71.4 billion over the next decade. The assessment, published on April 20, 2026, covers the full scope of devastation following 24 months of conflict, detailing the urgent needs to restore essential services, rebuild critical infrastructure, and support economic recovery.
According to the report, $26.3 billion is needed within the first eighteen months to address immediate priorities. Physical infrastructure damages alone account for $35.2 billion, while economic and social losses total $22.7 billion. The hardest-hit sectors include housing, health, education, commerce, and agriculture.
The human toll is staggering: over 371,888 housing units have been destroyed or damaged, more than half of hospitals are non-functional, nearly all schools have been destroyed or damaged, and the Gaza economy has contracted by 84%. Around 1.9 million people have been displaced, often multiple times, and more than 60% of the population has lost their homes. The report also highlights that women, children, persons with disabilities, and those with pre-existing vulnerabilities bear the greatest burden of the crisis.
Perhaps most starkly, the assessment finds that human development in Gaza has been set back by an estimated 77 years. This setback reflects the severe erosion of gains in health, education, and standard of living over decades, now erased by the scale of destruction.
The RDNA serves as the analytical foundation for early recovery planning and reconstruction, aligned with UN Security Council resolutions including UNSCR 2803. The report stresses that recovery efforts must proceed in parallel with ongoing humanitarian action to ensure an effective and well-sequenced transition from emergency relief to large-scale reconstruction, encompassing both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Key Takeaways
- Recovery and reconstruction needs in Gaza are estimated at $71.4 billion over the next decade.
- $26.3 billion is required in the first eighteen months to restore essential services and rebuild critical infrastructure.
- Physical infrastructure damages total $35.2 billion; economic and social losses amount to $22.7 billion.
- Over 371,888 housing units destroyed or damaged; more than 50% of hospitals non-functional; nearly all schools destroyed or damaged.
- Gaza’s economy has contracted by 84%; human development set back by an estimated 77 years.
- Around 1.9 million people displaced; more than 60% of the population has lost their homes.
- Women, children, persons with disabilities, and the most vulnerable face the greatest impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gaza Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA)?
The Gaza Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) is a joint evaluation conducted by the European Union, the United Nations, and the World Bank to measure the physical damage, economic losses, and recovery needs following a crisis. The April 2026 edition assesses the impact of 24 months of conflict in Gaza.
Why is the recovery cost so high?
The $71.4 billion figure reflects the extensive scale of destruction across housing, health, education, commerce, and agriculture, compounded by widespread displacement, economic collapse, and the long-term setback to human development. Rebuilding goes beyond physical structures to include restoring livelihoods, healthcare, and education systems.
How will the funds be used?
Funds will support the restoration of essential services, reconstruction of housing and infrastructure, economic recovery initiatives, and targeted assistance for vulnerable groups. The assessment emphasizes that recovery must be coordinated with humanitarian aid to ensure a seamless transition from relief to reconstruction.