United Nations Radio

The UN's humanitarian chief, John Holmes, is optimistic that donors will respond generously to the 600-million-dollar flash appeal for Gaza that the UN launched on Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Palestinian child eats bread

"I'm confident that there will be a generous response, given the huge sympathy there is in the international community for what happened to the population of Gaza and the pledges which have been made for longer-term reconstruction by some Arab countries and the interest of European countries, too."

Mr. Holmes told UN Radio that this appeal covers only the immediate relief and early recovery needs for the next six to nine months, such as food, water, shelter and essential repairs to infrastructure. He estimates that the longer-term reconstruction of Gaza will cost several billion dollars, but the assessment of those needs is yet to be made.

Reporting for UN Radio, I'm Bissera Kostova.
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