– I think it is extremely difficult, says Poole about keeping hope while the war is in full swing.
Her thoughts immediately go to her colleagues in the Gaza Strip, Palestinians who work for the United Nations Development Programme, many of whom have themselves lost homes and family members. In December, one of them was also killed along with large parts of the family.
– The Palestinians have lost family and friends repeatedly in the past twelve months. There has been an enormous loss of family and friends and loss of home, emphasizes Poole.
She is looking for a word to describe what it has been like to lead the United Nations Program for Socio-Economic Development in Palestine (UNDP/PAPP) for the past year. The aim is not only to create economic development, but also to strengthen the Palestinians’ resilience – or vitality.
– I feel humble, but it goes much deeper than that. Being able to help when the needs are critical and at the same time have a hopeful perspective, says Poole.
– Something keeps us going
– And even on very difficult days, there is something that keeps us going. That keeps me going. It gives an energy that you just have to hold onto and believe in, says Poole to NTB during a visit to Oslo this week.
A fresh one United Nations report from UNDP/UNESCWA estimates that the war has set Gaza’s development back almost 70 years. Almost the entire population now lives in poverty, while Israel has made it clear that the attacks will continue – both from the air and on the ground – until Hamas is crushed.
The Palestinian economy is expected to shrink by 35 percent by the end of the year, while unemployment has risen drastically, especially in the Gaza Strip. But the situation on the occupied West Bank has also become far worse.
Poole took up his new post just six weeks before the start of the war on October 7 last year. The plan then was to create more jobs for young Palestinians with the help of money that the Norwegian and Swiss governments had just given. During a visit to Gaza, she was able to greet young entrepreneurs and participate in a graduation ceremony. Although the area was also strongly affected by the Israeli blockade, there was some hope for the future.
Then came the terrorist attack against Israel and Israel’s declaration of war against Hamas. When Poole recently returned, it was to follow UNDP’s work to prevent Gaza’s children from growing up next to piles of unsorted garbage and tons of concrete blocks, and ensure the population has clean water and the remnants of a working life.
The setback is enormous, and UNDP’s 40-plus year effort is literally in ruins.
Huge amounts of rubbish and concrete
– Knowing where and how we should be able to get involved in the midst of all the destruction and everything else that affects our colleagues in Gaza has been challenging. At the same time, it feels very important and meaningful, says Poole.
– We are all people who want our children to be able to go to school, we all want our old parents to have access to health services. We want a job, an education we can invest in. We want a roof over our homes. We want a society. And as difficult as it is, I think it’s this goal that keeps us going, that keeps me going, says Poole.
Today, UNDP’s 39 employees in Gaza work, among other things, with solar cell systems to run water purification and, not least, waste management.
– The waste has piled up in indescribable quantities. This means that there is a health crisis for everyone, and also an environmental crisis. It is also a question of dignity as the displaced often live right next to the landfills, says Poole.
UNDP’s work also involves finding solutions for how to remove and recycle large amounts of building material left after bombed buildings. In May, it was estimated that 42 million tonnes of building debris were left in the streets. There will be a new estimate shortly.
Onerous assessed in September that 66 percent of the building mass in the Gaza Strip has been destroyed. That was before Israel started its offensive in northern Gaza almost three weeks ago. The offensive has left new neighborhoods in ruins in an area that was also exposed to heavy airstrikes a year ago.
Unpredictable
Poole acknowledges that it is not easy to maintain hope when there is no sign of a ceasefire. Whether it will even be possible to rebuild Gaza for the Palestinian population is also uncertain. Before that happens, a political agreement must be in place, states the UN representative.
But in the midst of the misery, a kind of daily life continues. Poole says that during her most recent visit to Gaza she saw a makeshift school with brand new plastic desks. When she asked how on earth they had gotten the desks into the Gaza Strip, she learned that they were made in a small company nearby. Keeping small businesses going, as well as employing health workers and teachers who have lost their jobs, is also part of UNDP’s long-term work.
On Wednesday, Poole visited both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Storting to have talks about how the UN should be able to carry out long-term work in the midst of a crisis situation. Along for the trip, she has stories about how Palestinian colleagues keep things going against all odds.
– It is unparalleled, I have not seen anything like it anywhere else. I cannot imagine having lost my home, lost my education, lost family members and still been able to continue working, and with great commitment. To really keep things going and constantly think what can we do differently and what can we do more of? It really is an example of resilience in its truest form, says Poole.
– But with 1.9 million internally displaced people in one year, there is also great trauma and suffering. So there is no question of resilience in a bubble, she adds.
– Will there be Palestinians left in the Gaza Strip in a year?
– I really hope so, says Sarah Poole.
#Refuses #give #hope #future #Gaza
Interview with Laura Poole, Head of the United Nations Programme for Socio-Economic Development in Palestine (UNDP/PAPP)
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us, Laura. It’s been a challenging year for you and your colleagues in Gaza. How do you maintain hope in such difficult circumstances?
Poole: Thank you for having me. It is extremely difficult to keep hope alive while the war rages on. My thoughts immediately go to my colleagues in the Gaza Strip, many of whom have lost homes and loved ones. They’ve faced tremendous loss repeatedly over the past year.
Interviewer: You mentioned the loss faced by your colleagues. Can you elaborate on what you mean by that?
Poole: Absolutely. This past December, one of our staff members was killed, along with many family members. The toll on our team has been staggering. The loss of family, friends, and homes weighs heavily on all of us.
Interviewer: Leading the UNDP/PAPP during such a tumultuous time must present unique challenges. Can you share what it has been like for you?
Poole: It’s been incredibly humbling, but the reality is much deeper than that. Our aim is not just to foster economic development but also to strengthen resilience among the Palestinian people. It’s heart-wrenching yet fulfilling to support them when their needs are so critical.
Interviewer: What drives you and your team to keep going despite the immense difficulties?
Poole: Even on the toughest days, there’s a persistent energy that keeps us going. The belief that we can help create a better future and restore dignity to people’s lives fuels our efforts. We all desire basic human rights—education, healthcare, jobs, and safe homes.
Interviewer: A recent UN report indicated that the war has set Gaza’s development back nearly 70 years. What does this mean for the future?
Poole: The implications are dire. With a projected 35% shrink in the Palestinian economy and rising unemployment, the entire population of Gaza is at risk of living in poverty. This is a setback not just for today but for generations to come.
Interviewer: Considering such destruction, what specific projects is UNDP currently involved in to address immediate needs?
Poole: Our team in Gaza is working on initiatives like solar cell systems to facilitate water purification and waste management. The situation with waste is critical—a health and environmental crisis that affects everyone. We’re also finding ways to remove and recycle massive amounts of debris from destroyed buildings.
Interviewer: With so many challenges, do you see a path forward?
Poole: It’s unpredictable. Each day brings new obstacles, but the collective desire for a better tomorrow among our colleagues in Gaza is a strong motivator. We want to ensure that children can go to school, the elderly have access to healthcare, and that we can rebuild a semblance of normalcy.
Interviewer: Thank you, Laura, for sharing your thoughts and insights. It’s clear that despite the hardships, hope and resilience remain crucial themes in your work.
Poole: Thank you for shining a light on these important issues. It’s vital that we continue to support the people of Gaza as they strive for a future filled with opportunity and peace.
But for generations to come. Rebuilding will require not only resources but also a political agreement to ensure stability moving forward.
Interviewer: You’ve mentioned the importance of resilience. How are you seeing that resilience manifest in the communities you work with?
Poole: Resilience is evident in the everyday actions of our colleagues and the communities in Gaza. Despite overwhelming challenges, I witnessed a makeshift school operating with new plastic desks made by a nearby small business. It’s this determination to maintain normalcy and support each other that truly defines resilience. People are striving to keep their families educated and healthy despite the dire circumstances.
Interviewer: What is the current state of UNDP’s programs amidst ongoing conflict and destruction?
Poole: Unfortunately, enduring ongoing conflict has made our traditional development efforts incredibly challenging. Yet, our team is still working hard on immediate solutions—such as waste management, clean water supply, and solar systems for energy. We’re also focused on how to recycle building debris as we face a monumental cleanup challenge with millions of tonnes of waste in the streets.
Interviewer: Laura, as someone witnessing such profound suffering and resilience, can you share your thoughts on whether the Palestinian population will continue to endure in Gaza?
Poole: I genuinely hope so. There’s immense trauma and suffering—over 1.9 million people have been internally displaced—but the human spirit is incredibly strong. As long as there are individuals committed to nurturing their communities and holding onto hope, there is potential for a future. I truly believe that if we can support the people of Gaza in their immediate needs, we can pave the way for a more stable and positive future.