Fayad: Send aid directly to needy Gazans

[azurnoir]

Donor countries should send Gaza reconstruction funds directly to property owners and contractors, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salaam Fayad said Wednesday, offering a plan that effectively bypasses Hamas.

The centerpiece of Fayad's plan is to send hundreds of millions of dollars in aid directly to owners of thousands of homes that were damaged or destroyed. Under the proposal, the donors would either send the money through Fayad's government or deal directly with Gaza's banks.

Homeowners would apply for reconstruction money, get it through the banks and work under the supervision of independent inspectors.

"There are a lot of people in Gaza who are homeless, displaced and we really need to move fast to ensure that they have the housing they need as quickly as possible," he said. "We have examined different ways of possibly going about this, and the best we found is the one I have just described, aimed at getting assistance directly to people, through the banking system."

Under Fayad's plan, even roads would be fixed by private contractors.

Hamas accused him of trying to hijack reconstruction for political gain.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304817907&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

[bunnies]

1. Excellent idea! nt

[Idealism]

2. As long as Gaza gets rebuilt and the people get fed, who cares how?

[azurnoir]

3. It sounds good to me the only problem I see

is getting the materials to actually do the reconstructing

[Idealism]

5. And sneaking the materials past a very desperate Hamas

[LeftishBrit]

6. I agree there

The main thing is that the aid should get to the people who need it, and not be blocked/diverted/lost in either the conflict between Israel and Gaza, or between the factions in Gaza.

[Alamuti Lotus]

4. That involves the prospect of aid actually *entering* Gaza..

before the Fatah politician does too much planning as to how to use this to one-up Hamas, that pesky little hurdle must be overcome.