East Jerusalem, March 19, 2026 – The Government of Italy, through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), and the United Nations Development Programme / Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP), has signed a EUR 3 million agreement to support the Inclusive Transitional Community Neighbourhoods (ITCN) programme in the Gaza Strip.
This contribution will enable the emergency rehabilitation of partially damaged housing units, supporting internally displaced families to return to safer and more dignified living conditions, while anchoring recovery efforts within a broader, neighbourhood-based approach.
Under this initiative, 663 housing units will be rehabilitated, directly benefiting an estimated 3,978 internally displaced persons (IDPs). Beyond addressing immediate shelter n eeds, the intervention is designed to strengthen protection, restore basic services, and support community-level resilience and recovery.
H.E. Domenico Bellato, Consul General of Italy in Jerusalem, stated: “This initiative is fully aligned with Italy’s broader engagement in Gaza and builds on our longstanding partnership with UNDP, including through the Gaza Reconstruction and Recovery Programme (GRRD). It reflects our commitment to ensuring continuity and coherence in our interventions, linking immediate humanitarian needs with early recovery efforts. Within the wider framework of Italy’s support to the Palestinian population in Gaza, this contribution also complements ongoing efforts to improve access to food, basic services, and essential assistance. By supporting neighbourhood-based recovery, we aim to contribute to restoring dignified living conditions while strengthening the resilience of affected communities.”
Mr. Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator, said: “This agreement reflects UNDP’s commitment to delivering recovery at scale through an integrated, neighbourhood-based approach that links immediate needs with longer-term resilience. Working closely with national and local partners, and as part of the broader UN system response, we are supporting Palestinian-led efforts to restore housing, services, and community infrastructure, ensuring recovery is inclusive, coordinated, and grounded in local priorities.”
The intervention forms part of UNDP’s Inclusive Transitional Community Neighbourhoods (ITCN) approach, which moves beyond isolated housing repairs to support integrated recovery at the neighbourhood level. This includes restoring essential infrastructure, improving access to services, and strengthening social cohesion, ensuring that returns are sustainable and communities are better equipped to cope with ongoing challenges.
The project will be implemented in close coordination with the relevant Palestinian lines’ ministries and local partners, reinforcing national ownership and alignment with the Palestinian Government’s recovery priorities. It also contributes to the broader United Nations system efforts to bridge humanitarian response and early recovery in Gaza.
Italy has been a longstanding and trusted partner to UNDP, supporting a wide range of development and resilience interventions across the occupied Palestinian territory. This latest contribution reaffirms Italy’s continued commitment to the Palestinian people and to advancing coordinated, sustainable recovery efforts in Gaza.
