Gaza: Human development set back 77 years as recovery costs rise to $71 billion 20 April 2026 Economic Development The UN and European Union issued a joint warning on Monday that human development across Gaza has been set back by a staggering 77 years, with $71.4 billion needed over the next decade for recovery and reconstruction. That’s according to the final  Gaza Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) , jointly conducted with the UN-partnered World Bank. The assessment says $26.3 billion will be needed in the first 18 months to restore essential services, rebuild critical infrastructure and support economic recovery. Since full-scale war erupted in Gaza following the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel in October 2023, the physical damage in the Strip is estimated at $35.2 billion, with a further $22.7 billion in economic and social losses .…