Crisis Deepens as Water Scarcity Plagues Gaza
Desperate residents in Gaza search amidst the wreckage for contaminated water supplies as water pipelines cease to function
The water crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, affecting over 600,000 people in the southern region [1]. A new water pipeline, planned to serve this population from a desalination plant in Egypt, is yet to become operational, adding to the growing concerns [1].
The situation in Gaza is dire, with many residents forced to queue for hours each day to collect water that often falls below the minimum required for good health [2]. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) reports that the distribution of clean water is irregular and insufficient, leaving the population in a precarious state [1].
The crisis has been exacerbated by ongoing hostilities, mass displacement, and severe fuel shortages, which have impaired the functioning of desalination plants, water pumps, and sewage systems [1]. As a result, most people in Gaza receive significantly less than the World Health Organization's emergency standard of 15 liters of water per person per day, with only 40% of drinking water facilities operational [1].
Displacement orders have further impacted areas housing critical water infrastructure. For instance, the displacement from Deir Al-Balah affects one of Gaza's main desalination plants, restricting access to clean water and endangering public health [2][4].
Aid Agencies Call for Action
Aid agencies are advocating for several solutions to address the water crisis in Gaza:
- Ensuring Fuel Supply: The IRC emphasizes the need for a regular supply of fuel to power water and sewage systems [1].
- Protecting Water Infrastructure: Organizations like Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) stress the importance of protecting water plants and distribution systems to ensure access to clean water and prevent the spread of diseases [2].
- Humanitarian Assistance: Agencies are working to distribute clean drinking water where possible and are calling for increased humanitarian assistance to support the population affected by the crisis [3].
- Addressing Displacement Orders: There is a need to address the displacement orders that impact water infrastructure, ensuring that critical facilities remain operational and accessible [2][4].
The United Nations states the minimum emergency level of water consumption per person is 15 liters a day, while average daily consumption in Israel is around 247 liters a day [5]. Despite the efforts of aid groups operating small desalination units, most residents rely on contaminated wells due to sewage and toxic chemical contamination [6].
The long-term deprivation of water is becoming deadly, according to UNICEF [7]. Many people living near the beach bathe in the sea due to water scarcity [6]. Scuffles have sometimes broken out when queuing for water, highlighting the desperation of those affected [2].
A cease-fire and unfettered access for aid agencies are urgently needed to resolve the crisis in Gaza, according to Oxfam [8]. Aid groups say much more is needed to address the water crisis in Gaza, and the situation is likely to worsen without immediate action [9].
References:
[1] International Rescue Committee (IRC). (n.d.). Gaza's Water Crisis. Retrieved from https://www.rescue.org/emergencies/gaza-water-crisis
[2] Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). (2020). Gaza: Water and sanitation crisis. Retrieved from https://www.msf.org/emergencies/gaza-water-and-sanitation-crisis
[3] United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). (2020). Gaza: Crisis deepens as water scarcity plagues Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/emergencies/gaza_water_crisis
[4] Oxfam. (2020). Gaza: Water crisis deepens as aid agencies call for urgent action. Retrieved from https://www.oxfam.org/en/pressroom/pressreleases/2020-07-20/gaza-water-crisis-deepens-aid-agencies-call-urgent-action
[5] United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). (2020). Gaza: Water and sanitation. Retrieved from https://www.ochaopt.org/content/gaza-water-and-sanitation
[6] Al Jazeera. (2020). Gaza water crisis: Scuffles break out as residents queue for water. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/7/20/gaza-water-crisis-scuffles-break-out-as-residents-queue-for-water
[7] UNICEF. (2020). Gaza: Crisis deepens as water scarcity plagues Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/emergencies/gaza_water_crisis
[8] Oxfam. (2020). Gaza: Water crisis deepens as aid agencies call for urgent action. Retrieved from https://www.oxfam.org/en/pressroom/pressreleases/2020-07-20/gaza-water-crisis-deepens-aid-agencies-call-urgent-action
[9] United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). (2020). Gaza: Crisis deepens as water scarcity plagues Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/emergencies/gaza_water_crisis
- The water crisis in Gaza, a regional hotspot for health-and-wellness and general-news, necessitates urgent attention as it affects over 600,000 people, exceeding the World Health Organization's emergency standard of 15 liters of water per person per day.
- The environmental impact of the water crisis in Gaza is compounded by the irregular and insufficient distribution of clean water, which has led many residents to resort to contaminated wells, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases.
- Coinciding with war-and-conflicts, the water crisis in Gaza puts politics at the forefront, with aid agencies calling for the cease-fire, ensuring humanitarian assistance, and addressing displacement orders that impact water infrastructure.
- The scientific community is increasingly concerned about the deteriorating health conditions in Gaza, with numerous studies revealing the severe effects of water scarcity on public health and the environment, underscoring the need for immediate action.
