George Maria da Silva

As head of UNOPS, the United Nations Office for Project Services, George Maria da Silva focuses on practical solutions.

And one of the big issues he sees in Gaza is the enormous amount of rubble.

And the amount of rubble is unprecedented.

61 million tons of rubble.

the equivalent of 30 tons per person in Gaza.

He says the international conversations have focused too much on long-term development.

But what he saw on his most recent trip to Gaza alarmed him, with many Palestinians living in tents and making their own fuel by burning plastic.

He's urging Israel to allow in more fuel and heavy equipment.

Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, Washington.