Gaza: Water Scarcity and Health Crisis for Residents

In Gaza, the water crisis is as severe as the food crisis, according to humanitarian organizations. Residents face serious problems due to groundwater contamination and damaged pipelines.

Although some water comes from small desalination units, most is drawn from wells with brackish water contaminated by sewage and chemicals, causing diarrhea and hepatitis.

COGAT, the Israeli military agency, reports that it manages two water pipelines in the Gaza Strip, but Palestinian officials report that these have not been operating recently. Water and sanitation infrastructure has been severely damaged.

Moaz Muhaymar, 23, is forced to walk a kilometer and wait in line for two hours to secure water for his family. Umm Moaz, his mother, emphasizes the difficulty of finding water for the 20 members of the family.

Bushra Khalidi of Oxfam reports that the average water consumption in Gaza is only 3-5 liters per day, while waterborne diseases are spreading rapidly.

There are plans for a new pipeline funded by the United Arab Emirates to meet the needs of 600,000 people in southern Gaza.

James Elder of UNICEF warns that water shortages are becoming deadly and that a ceasefire and unhindered access for aid services are needed.