I have just returned from Gaza where a humanitarian crisis is deepening. People are exhausted, traumatized, and overwhelmed. The harsh winter conditions and the heavy rains this week are doubling people’s misery and desperation.

Driving through endless roads of rubble, the level of destruction is overwhelming. Homes, schools, clinics, roads, water, and electricity systems have been levelled or severely damaged. For children, daily life is defined by loss and trauma. Out of school for a third year, they risk becoming a lost generation, their wounds - physical and psychological - are hard to heal with every day passing.

Gaza has more than 60 million tonnes of rubble: the capacity of nearly 3,000 container ships. On average every person in Gaza today is surrounded by 30 tonnes of rubble. It is likely to take over seven years to clear this rubble.

I met families who have been displaced multiple times. I also met UNOPS staff and partners who continue to work under extreme pressure and insecurity. Their determination to improve communities’ access to basic services - often with minimal resources and at great personal risk - is humbling.

UNOPS - with partners - is ready and able to support in clearing rubble, restoring energy, managing waste, and providing shelter.

Meanwhile, UNOPS continues to bring in much needed fuel for humanitarian purposes.

Fuel is the backbone of humanitarian operations in Gaza Strip. Without it, hospitals cannot run life-saving healthcare, water and sanitation systems shut down, food aid cannot be distributed, and communications and transport for emergency responders will be at risk. A regular flow and availability of fuel is critical to keep life-saving services running.

Our teams also work with UN Mine Action to help the communities with widespread risks of unexploded ordnance.

I welcome the announcement of the second phase of the plan, this must finally mean the beginning of reconstruction. But meanwhile, early recovery must start right away including to restore access to basic services.

I call for improved humanitarian access, the opening of all crossings and corridors - including the resumption of direct delivery of aid through the “Jordan corridor” to Gaza. The people of Gaza need an increase in the flow of basic supplies and less restrictions to support the humanitarian response and early recovery. This also includes allowing so-called dual use items, critical for repairing and restoring access to basic services across the Gaza Strip including water, primary healthcare and education for children.

The people of Gaza have endured unspeakable suffering that no human should experience. The international community must remain engaged and act with urgency beyond the immediate response to the humanitarian crisis.

It is long overdue to reach a political and diplomatic solution to the conflict so that Palestinians and Israelis can finally live in safety and dignity.”